I brought up this Supermajority idea to someone(a financial guy of 20+ years) several months ago, asking how he felt about that. To my surprise his response was, "Well, hows that going to be different with a McCain win?". He went on to say that he thought even then McCain was a long shot, so if McCain were to win, it would only be because the right had worked so hard for him, that they neglected the smaller stuff in the process. You know, like the re-election or election of congressmen and senators. Because of this mistake, McCain as President would have a choice, 1)basically be a lame duck from day one, with little more then Veto power. Or 2)work with a Dem. controlled house and senate to move things in the direction they want to go, so at least there was some progress.
So basically, if he goes with option 1, the best he could do is veto bills and budget line items. But if he can't really accomplish anything else he promised, even the people who voted for him will start to turn on him after a few short months. Its also a dangerous situation because he would be extremely easy to pin everything bad on, because lets face it he is not willing to work with them. If he goes with option 2 he essentially turns his back on the very people that elected him. Sure maybe he can get one or two of his policies and promises to happen. But at what price, how many more of their policies or even worse, those pesky earmarks will he have to let slip past his veto pen? The same one he has promised to use so much.
I have to admit I hadn't thought about it quite like that before, but like it or not he has a point. At this time it seems the mistake has been made and at the very least its extremely likely that there will be a Supermajority. If that happens I think McCain might as well be Bush, Bush might actually look better. If he loses and Obama wins, which seems more and more possible every day, we have a Super-Supermajority.
So Supermajority or Super-supermajorty, thats your choice.
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2 comments:
But at least there will be veto power. The way it looks right now, there will be absolutely no checks and balances.
Well, thats somewhat of an exaggeration, there is still the Supreme Court. Technically though, you and I are the ultimate checks and balances in our system, since every two years there is a chance for some level of small change in Washington. People are often to caught up in the big elections to remember that. So why don't we don't work as hard on those congressional or senate campaigns? In the end thats what really changes our government, or doesn't. My congressman is up this year, and I'm still not sure which way I'm going.
Good theory on the veto power, but I really doubt that McCain would actually use that veto power, in that situation. I think he would turn his back and play ball, and considering his history with the right, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't even feel guilty.
By the way, I'm sure you know this isn't the first time this has happened, we have often had complete control by one party or the other. Most recently it was the Republicans, which oddly enough is what many point to as the reason we are looking at the exact opposite now.
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