Central Virginia voters face repellant choices in both the house and Senate races. Virgil Goode, the independent candidate for reelection as representative, has taken (and then returned) large campaign contributions from MZM Corporation. MZM was connected with the bribery scandal with former California congressman Duke Cunningham. Democratic candidate Al Weed strikes me as a doctrinaire liberal.
Republican Senate candidate George Allen, his foot planted firmly in his mouth, removed it and attempted to counter charges of racism by charging his opponent with sexism. He now says he wants the campaign on the issues. His Democratic opponent, James Webb, has an honorable record – but I worry that his election might send a message of surrender to terrorists.
Paying attention to campaign ads and debates means descending into and endless swamp of unverifiable claims and counterclaims.
Now Ralph Peters steps forward with a rational basis for deciding. one that stands apart from the issues and focuses on the process.
IT'S time to get a grip. And to be honest with ourselves. The fear-mongering and juvenile nastiness we, the people, endure from both political parties would have us believe that disaster looms in November.
It doesn't. You, the voters, are going to make your individual choices based upon your private beliefs. And our country is going to be better for it.
The Republicans are going to get a dose of castor oil. They need it. If we, the people, are lucky, the Dems will take the House, while the Republicans will hold on to a majority in the Senate. That split-decision would be good news for America.
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When either party - it doesn't matter which one - controls both houses of Congress, we get two very bad results. First, the party in power becomes arrogant and exclusive. Second, half of our population feels it doesn't have a voice in government.
The result is polarization of the sort we suffer now. Extremist voices are too influential in both parties and the rest of us - in the vast center - are treated as irrelevant. When either party controls everything, it ignores the wishes of the majority. A monopoly of power isn't democracy.
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It would be unfortunate if the Dems captured both houses of Congress. But even Republicans should hope they get the House.
Why? For all of the reasons cited above - and one more: For six years, the Dems have had a free ride, criticizing everything while accepting responsibility for nothing; with control of the House, they'd have to get serious at last.
Let's see Nancy Pelosi & Co. offer serious legislation instead of sound-bites. Show us what the donkey can do when it has to stop braying and shoulder a burden.
Gotta love Ralph. He is always straighforward and clear about his opinions. Thanks. Give him a reading.
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