I Check Your Balance

There's something to be said for checks and balances in government.

I'll be the first to admit that a Democratic presidency coupled with a Democratic congress makes me more than just a little nervous. And, this comes from a Democrat.

I think there's something serious to be said about the opposite party keeping their opposition straight.

I worked for a Democratic member of the House during a Republican presidency with a Republican congress, and I saw first hand that oversight and investigations, as much as they are sometimes overdone, were nonexistent.

No president needs a rubber stamp congress, and no congress needs a rubber stamp presidency. When that happens we all end up in wars we shouldn't be fighting and tax plans that don't help anyone.

All this comes down to the point that Republicans can't control it all and, surprise, Democrats can't either. It takes someone on the other side of the aisle to tell you that you're wrong.

Someone has to stand up to you and say, "Hey, X amount of people will suffer if you do this". The people suffering may be low income folks who just want to pay the bills or high income folks who just want to leave something to their grandchildren. And, I'll be sure to admit that I've only been on the latter end of that scenario.

It's not an easy side to take because no party agrees with it, but it's necessary to keep government honest. If someone is always looking over your shoulder, I believe you'll be more careful to do what's right for all citizens, but if you know that whoever is looking over your shoulder agrees with you, then you're more likely to do what's best for your constituency.

I don't think that's a news flash to anyone.

So, just be prepared. I hope that in a year and a half we'll have a President Obama, but I won't be surprised to see an overturn in the House of Representatives.

We all need someone taking us to task and, as much as I like him, that doesn't exclude Barack Obama.


L.