I earlier wrote about how, based on the public's rather moderate to liberal standing on many specific issues, it made absolutely no sense to vote for these issues alongside ultra-conservative candidates on election day. I then wondered aloud if the Mike Judge film "Idiocracy" was actually coming to fruition. Well, based on some other recent polls, that off-the-wall theory of mine appears to be garnering even more traction.
Just prior to the election, an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed that, next to the economy, the most important issue for voters was ending the partisan gridlock in Washington.
So, let's think about that for just a second here. Congressional Republicans have often times been referred to as the party of no under President Obama. Let's not forget what they said when he initially got elected - they wanted to make him a one-term president. But, let's look at the specific issues...
Healthcare reform? No.
Immigration reform? No.
Equal pay for equal work? No.
Closing loopholes on gun control laws? No.
Closing loopholes on tax breaks for the wealthy? No.
Anything pertaining to gays' rights? No.
Anything that might make President Obama look like a good leader? No.
So, to sum up, the #1 reason for this gridlock has been the Congressional Republicans.
A new Pew Research Center poll backs this notion.
When Democrats were asked if they'd rather their representatives work with Republicans to get things done in Washington or to stand up to them, which would limit any kind of production, 52% said they'd rather Democrats work with Republicans and 43% said they'd rather their party stand up to the GOP (net +9%). On the flip-side, when Republicans were asked this very question, just 32% said they want to see their party work with Democrats, while 66% said they'd rather the GOP stand up to the Democrats (net -34%).
So let me get this straight... The second most important issue to voters was the partisan gridlock in Washington, yet they decided to make the gridlock even worse by voting in more Republicans. Is that right? What, did such voters engage in the following discussion?
Charles Blockhead: "I'm so sick and tired of the gridlock in Washington! Do what we voted you in to do, work together, and get something done!"
Martina Likeyah: "I know! Isn't it frustrating? So, what do you think we should do? Who should we vote for?"
Charles: "I'm going straight-ticket Republican! With Democrats in control of the Senate, this will be just the change we need to get more done in Washington!"
Martina: "But, aren't the Republicans in Congress the main reason for the gridlock? Haven't they been blocking any and everything the president has tried to put forth, even if most Americans agree with him on the matter?"
Charles: "So what? Democrats have been in charge of the Senate. They can't get anything done, so even if Republicans are the reason for the gridlock, if they have control of both the House and the Senate, as opposed to just the House, that will end the gridlock!"
Martina: "How?"
Charles: "I don't know. All I know is you can't spell g-r-i-d-l-o-c-k without 'Democrat.'"
Martina: "Wait, what?"
Charles: "Come on, Martina! Stop the Republican gridlock and vote in more Republicans to end the gridlock! It's as simple as that."
Martina: "I don't know why, but I think you may be on to something! Let's end the Republican gridlock by voting in more Republicans!"
Charles: "That's what I like to hear! Now you're catching on!"
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/11/03/election-day-vote-congress-gridlock-compromise-editorials-debates/18438921/
http://www.people-press.org/2014/11/12/little-enthusiasm-familiar-divisions-after-the-gops-big-midterm-victory/
Just prior to the election, an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed that, next to the economy, the most important issue for voters was ending the partisan gridlock in Washington.
So, let's think about that for just a second here. Congressional Republicans have often times been referred to as the party of no under President Obama. Let's not forget what they said when he initially got elected - they wanted to make him a one-term president. But, let's look at the specific issues...
Healthcare reform? No.
Immigration reform? No.
Equal pay for equal work? No.
Closing loopholes on gun control laws? No.
Closing loopholes on tax breaks for the wealthy? No.
Anything pertaining to gays' rights? No.
Anything that might make President Obama look like a good leader? No.
So, to sum up, the #1 reason for this gridlock has been the Congressional Republicans.
A new Pew Research Center poll backs this notion.
When Democrats were asked if they'd rather their representatives work with Republicans to get things done in Washington or to stand up to them, which would limit any kind of production, 52% said they'd rather Democrats work with Republicans and 43% said they'd rather their party stand up to the GOP (net +9%). On the flip-side, when Republicans were asked this very question, just 32% said they want to see their party work with Democrats, while 66% said they'd rather the GOP stand up to the Democrats (net -34%).
So let me get this straight... The second most important issue to voters was the partisan gridlock in Washington, yet they decided to make the gridlock even worse by voting in more Republicans. Is that right? What, did such voters engage in the following discussion?
Charles Blockhead: "I'm so sick and tired of the gridlock in Washington! Do what we voted you in to do, work together, and get something done!"
Martina Likeyah: "I know! Isn't it frustrating? So, what do you think we should do? Who should we vote for?"
Charles: "I'm going straight-ticket Republican! With Democrats in control of the Senate, this will be just the change we need to get more done in Washington!"
Martina: "But, aren't the Republicans in Congress the main reason for the gridlock? Haven't they been blocking any and everything the president has tried to put forth, even if most Americans agree with him on the matter?"
Charles: "So what? Democrats have been in charge of the Senate. They can't get anything done, so even if Republicans are the reason for the gridlock, if they have control of both the House and the Senate, as opposed to just the House, that will end the gridlock!"
Martina: "How?"
Charles: "I don't know. All I know is you can't spell g-r-i-d-l-o-c-k without 'Democrat.'"
Martina: "Wait, what?"
Charles: "Come on, Martina! Stop the Republican gridlock and vote in more Republicans to end the gridlock! It's as simple as that."
Martina: "I don't know why, but I think you may be on to something! Let's end the Republican gridlock by voting in more Republicans!"
Charles: "That's what I like to hear! Now you're catching on!"
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/11/03/election-day-vote-congress-gridlock-compromise-editorials-debates/18438921/
http://www.people-press.org/2014/11/12/little-enthusiasm-familiar-divisions-after-the-gops-big-midterm-victory/
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