First, I'll tell you that this statement comes from one who has voted for the GOP candidate for President in every election except 2004 and now 2008. Here's my question...

What would be wrong with a complete sweep on the White House and Congress, including a filibuster-proof Senate?

That's only happened twice before in recent history. What were the results?

Franklin D. Roosevelt had that kind of political power after the 1932 elections. The results were the creation of Social Security, the FDIC to guarantee bank deposits, Fannie Mae to assure the ability of people to buy homes, and the greatest concentration of infrastructure construction on the country's history under the WPA, etc.

The next time an American President had that kind of power was under Lyndon Johnson. In his six years as President Medicare and Medicaid were established, the Civil Rights Act was passed, federal aid to education was signifiantly increased, poverty was attacked with the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act, and after much groundwork being laid during the Johnson administation, the Environmental Protection Act was passed by the Democratically-controlled Congress in the first year of the Nixon administration.

If we were to make as much progress with a Democratic Congress and White House in upcoming years, what would be wrong with that? It seems to me that a whole lot more good was accomplished for the country during those short periods of time than what's been done other than all the bickering and back-biting that has gone on for the last decade or more.

Without checks and balances, the potential for abuse would be enormous and real. The thought of a veto proof Congress given the radical left wing agenda of Pelosi and Reid is frightening...but, maybe that's just me. They already want to silence the voice of dissent with the Fairness Doctrine. That to me is contrary to everything America stands for and a harbinger of worse abuse coming. What next, re-education camps? Youth brigades? George Orwell's look into the future was off by 25 years. Talk to me about new moderate Democratic leadership in Congress and I'll give it more thought.

I guess it depend on your perspective and the quality of the people in power. If you were in favor of G. Bush and the Republicans in power, you would have hoped for great things the past 8 years. Unfortunately, they managed to do a good job of trashing the country. I have a lot of belief in Obama and the Democrat agenda, so I would be hopeful that much good would result if they were in power.

Found these articles interesting.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics..._congress_ever

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics..._congressmen/3

http://www.america.gov/st/elections0...ml?CP.rss=true

Not in order of the responses...

•If the character and morality of the members of Congress who we elect has changed so dramatically for the worse over the last couple of decades, this country is in a whole lot more trouble than we can even imagine.

• Cabo, you didn't answer the question I posed in the message beginning the thread. I'm familiar with the stump speech arguments against one party controlling both the legislative and executive branches. My question was what would be wrong if the results of what looks like total control by the Democrats turns out to be as productive for the country as happened under Roosevelt and Johnson?

I also agree with Kahuna 100%, that there would not be anything wrong with having the likes of Johnson and Roosevelt. In the past 8 years this great country has taken a downward spiral. Wall Street is a pyramid plan that is crashing for all those enticed to invest at the risk of those in control at the top. I never thought I would see this country topple and collapse. It is apparent to me that who we vote for in this election is the deciding factor of allowing the same downward spiral to continue, or of a great new start with hope. The control of lobbyist's personal agendas has to change. Regulation is necessary. At the very top of the pyramid are the few elite that could and should have tax increases. It has just been proven. The war? We need to find an end to war. It just won't happen with McCain. Personally, I would not want Palin anywhere near presidential power. IMHO, she is a DITZ! Hillary is a brilliant woman compared to Palin, and I'm proud of her!

Originally Posted by rekop

I guess it depend on your perspective and the quality of the people in power. If you were in favor of G. Bush and the Republicans in power, you would have hoped for great things the past 8 years. Unfortunately, they managed to do a good job of trashing the country. I have a lot of belief in Obama and the Democrat agenda, so I would be hopeful that much good would result if they were in power.

I agree, the country has been trashed. It is up to us, as voters, to demand a clean up!!!
BTW, our son was just LAID-OFF!
7 months before his wedding!
WHAT A MESS THIS IS!

This is my last political post. Its time to go vote!!
OBAMA 08 The choice is obvious!!

Unfortunately, Obama and the current Dem leadership is NOT the answer. At first I was intrigued with him but I have done a good deal of research on him and he scares me to death. The potential damage to be done with his leftist ideas and the Reid/Pelosi team is frightening to me.

Please refer to the link to Glenn Beck under "If Obama Wins" thread. Pay particular attention to his comments on the constitution about half way through. Listen to the audio if you can.

BTW, I'm not a rabid McCain fan either, but I feel the country is so upset at Washington in general they are grasping at the wrong straws.

Too bad Ron Paul didn't get more traction....he called the whole current financial situation years ago but nobody was listening.

Originally Posted by captain1202

Unfortunately, Obama and the current Dem leadership is NOT the answer. At first I was intrigued with him but I have done a good deal of research on him and he scares me to death. The potential damage to be done with his leftist ideas and the Reid/Pelosi team is frightening to me.

Please refer to the link to Glenn Beck under "If Obama Wins" thread. Pay particular attention to his comments on the constitution about half way through. Listen to the audio if you can.

BTW, I'm not a rabid McCain fan either, but I feel the country is so upset at Washington in general they are grasping at the wrong straws.

Too bad Ron Paul didn't get more traction....he called the whole current financial situation years ago but nobody was listening.

i will agree with this after listening to him in the debates...

what a novel concept. The current incumbents, regardless of party, are the ones in power while the country has accomplished all the stupid things that got us to this point.

The same dregs will be in power no matter who wins the election.

The same congress with the rating lower than Bush for you Bush bashers....but that seems to not be a concern.

If Obama wins....and we won't know till the election is over will we....the same do nothing gang will be there in both Houses.

Some how we the people just don't get the message...it takes more than a President to make it happen.....NOT HAPPEN!!!!

TBO....DO NOT RE ELECT INCUMBENTS.....

What does it take to wake we the people up on this all important status?

BTK

The way i see it, McCain has been there forever, Biden has been there forever, Obama is new and is offereing CHANGE. Now Complain about it or not, Something new comes in and everyone has issues with him. To your post. why not elect McCain back, same thing, same policy. You got to start with change somewhere, maybe Obama is the first, next replace all the dregs as you would say. But you can start change unless your willing...

Nader could have made an impact on obama

The problem is we all complain about the do nothing Congress but for most of recent past BOTH parties vote the party line. When the Republicans had control the Dems used the filibuster all the time. And the Republicans tired to change the filibuster rule. The only thing that stop it was the gang of seven. Or was it nine. Now that the Dems are in control what is happening.

Geez the Republicans are using the filibuster just as much as the Dems.

So we have 3 choices...vote them all out, vote in a filibuster proof majority or get involved an contact our senators when they don't vote the way we would like.

I know Ken Salazar is tired of me sending him emails.

Originally Posted by captain1202

Unfortunately, Obama and the current Dem leadership is NOT the answer. At first I was intrigued with him but I have done a good deal of research on him and he scares me to death. The potential damage to be done with his leftist ideas and the Reid/Pelosi team is frightening to me.

Please refer to the link to Glenn Beck under "If Obama Wins" thread. Pay particular attention to his comments on the constitution about half way through. Listen to the audio if you can.

BTW, I'm not a rabid McCain fan either, but I feel the country is so upset at Washington in general they are grasping at the wrong straws.

Too bad Ron Paul didn't get more traction....he called the whole current financial situation years ago but nobody was listening.

I have stayed out of the political area for quite some time. This thread intrigues me.

First, to compare Roosevelt and Johnson with Sen Obama is just plain ridiculous in my opinion.

However the reason I responded is that this post from CAPTAIN102 sums it up for me as well and I wanted to support this post.

Those of you who are on the Sen Obama bandwagon are either life long Democrats who vote that way always and that surely is your right OR you are voting AGAINST President Bush and the last 8 years which I can understand.

I say this with GREAT CONFIDENCE because I, as well, was intrigued with Sen Obama but I also did my homework and I have come to the conclusion and say it with great confidence that in 4 years a leadership of Obama, Pelosi and Reid will send this country into such a spiral it will take decades to recover.

ANYONE who has read anything about Sen Obama and I am not speaking of his website or either of his TWO autobiographies can ONLY come to the conclusion that he will not only IMMEDIATELY take us down a socialist road and his judicial appointements (that are appointed FOR LIFE) that will have NO opposition (or any that can do anything about it) will affect our Supreme court possible for many many years. He does not do what he says and he will not do what he says.

I, frankly, do not care what pundits say about his proposals versus Sen McCain because he is not going to do anything he promises except those that include bigger government. I wanted to make this post so that I can come back every 6 months or so and remind you of what you are reaping.

If you feel I am over dramatic, I ask you to stand back..ignore what his campaign says..ignore his slick commercials...ignore his website.....INVESTIGATE...there is so much out there..not opinions..FACTS and so much more. He and his backers are buying this election and as scared as I was of him a few weeks ago when I was posting regularly, I am even more scared now.

He has used, to perfection, all that Sal Alinsky preached. Make them all feel like they are being "screwed" and tell them how bad they have it...THEN promise them how you will make it better !!! Think I made that up....check it out. It ain't goin to happen folks.

Sen Obama is a student of Rev Wright, Bill Ayers, even Farrakhan. You can call me a racist as so many have done in the past, but dont bother because it is not true however THAT PLOY.....of calling anyone who disagrees a racist or hater..... is working for Sen Obama.

Sen McCain is certainly not my choice to lead this nation either and the ONLY thing good about his administration is that we have 2 years to make some serious changes in congress and we, as a country, will not slide away from all the principles that made us great and lead us into the quagmire of all the other socialist countries that we WILL FOLLOW. The world wants Sen Obama because we are at present an impediment and a big one that will totally disappear from sight with an Obama presidency. If you are dismayed that our government is taking over our 401k's under the guise of helping just wait and see what is coming.

To finalize because I know how the attacks begin. I am not talking about Sen Obama's character..he may be a good man as a man is measured..but his idealogoy IS TOTALLY RADICAL AND DECEPTIVE. I am not talking about his wife nor his family..they seem to be very nice folks. I am not talking about his race...if you want to lay that on me because I mentioned Rev Wright or Farrakahn that is up to you, BUT THEY ARE MENTIONED ONLY BECAUSE THEY ARE ASSOCIATES...it was not grabbed out of the sky.


I heard an economist on the radio the other day (sorry I do not have his name..did not hear the entire interview and it was NOT on a right wing show at all..it was a business show) say that the ONLY good thing about a Sen Obama presidency is that everything that he will do will screw up our economy so much we will for sure make a radical change back to center and a Sen McCain presidency will not solve anything at all and it will be the same in four years and perhaps we will just continue to tread water. Nice thing to look forward to, huh ? My words on his statement.....if we vote Sen Obama in with the current congress led by Pelosi and Reid, things will be so bad in our economy we will be desperate !

oKay...now going back to my shell and please if you are going to attack me personally, understand that for months I have been posting on here with FACTS and links to support my case and now there are so many more. Nobody disputed ANY of them..they argued with my conclusion for sure, but did not dispute the facts.

I concluded more than a year ago that my only alternative was to NEVER VOTE FOR AN INCUMBENT.

The two things I think had a chance to change things in Washington were term limits for both House and Senate, and the federal government being the sole source of finance for all federal elections (including a time limit on the length of both the primary and general election campaigns). Neither will happen, leaving me (and you I presume) with that only alternative.

By the way, my suggestion for government financing of campaigns would include a prohibition on any advertising by the candidates or the political parties or contributions to either the candidates or parties by anyone--individuals, companies or lobbyists. The special interests would flood the media with advertising, but I can't figure out how to get around the first amendment's allowance for free speech.

While I voted for Obama this time, he's starting "in the hole" for re-election as far as I'm concerned. Unless he performs anything less than brilliantly as a first-term President, he won't get my vote for re-election to a second term.

The only pre-condition I'll place on my commitment to try to vote out the incumbent is if the GOP puts up an idealogue who passes all the litmus tests of the social and religious extreme right-wing, but isn't qualified to be the leader of the most important country in the free world. If that happens, I'll be forced to vote for Obabma again--if he's elected this time. To further define what I mean by my pre-condition, almost any of the candidates that ran for the GOP Presidential nomination this time would get my vote in 2012; Sarah Palin would not.

I didn't compare Obama with either FDR or Johnson, I simply noted the good things that happened with the executive and legislative branches being under the strong control of a single political party under their administrations.

But you're right as far as I'm concerned--I am not a lifelong Democrat and I am voting against another four years of anything even faintly resembling the George Bush-Republican adminsitration of the last eight years.

As far as the country is concerned, we've already been damaged so badly that it will already take many years for us to recover. There are many dimensions to the damage we've incurred--fiscal, foreign affairs, healthcare, the environment, education, military strength, you name it. There's minimal additional damage that a new adminstration can do that would worsen our situation. If there is some hope for the free markets, it is that the free markets will quickly and severely limit what any new administration can accomplish, specifically any plans that require lots of federal spending. There are very limited additional sources of debt available to the U.S. to finance anything other than our most very basic needs and priorities. I hate the idea of Pelosi and Reid, but the risk I ran in voting for Obama was that there's little more they can do to worsen the damage already done by the Bush administration.

As far as socialism is concerned, we're already well down the slippery slope towards that. Our financial system has already been socialized and it's only a matter of time before other industries line up at the trough. The auto companies have already been nationalized (socialized) to the tune of $25 billion, and they've said that's not enough. They'll be back for more and we'll find no alternative than to add them to the industries on the public dole. Just one more step towards socialism caused by the political leadership of the last couple of decades, an erosion of our business morals and ethics, and almost complete inattention and ignorance of the American electorate. But from where we are now, there are few alternatives. Capitalism and the free markets have failed us and the government must now step in to stem the economic tide that's running against us.

I don't buy into the arguments that Obama embraces the ideas of Wright, Ayers and Aulinsky. If others do, that's their choice. I choose to place much, much greater weight on the evaluations others have made of Obama's intelligence, leadership abilities, management style and commitment to bettering the country. The smoothness and efficiency with which he's run his campaign is enough evidence for me to conclude that he can continue to bring the country together and begin to resolve our many problems. And make no mistake, he has run his campaign, making all the key decsions, very unlike the McCain campaign with staff firings, financial problems, everchanging message and internal disputes. My choice is a bit of a "bet on the come", I admit. But no worse than when I believed George Bush's campaign promises when I voted for him the first time. I voted against his re-election, but there weren't enough like me to prevent a continuation of the damage his administration was doing.

But there'll be no personal attacks from here, Bucco. I assume we'fve both voted and cancelled one another out. Now it's up to everyone else to elect our next President.