2006 is upon us, and a new year brings opportunities for change. Since 2006 will be a Congressional election year, we know that we can expect a year filled with campaigns and political sparring. We should also expect this mid-term election to be more attended than previous similar elections, as the American people find themselves at a crossroads once again. Serious issues are on the table that will have long-reaching consequences for the state of our country, and the outcome of this election year will either repudiate the policies of the current government or bolster its confidence to continue along the current path.
Most readers of Common Sense already understand that I am no fan of the current administration. My disgust with the Bush presidency stems partly from the basic ideology they operate from and partly from the total incompetence they have shown in their policies and the implementation of them. This administration has eroded our national reputation in the world at large, has sacrificed the future opportunities of the poor and middle classes while helping the rich get richer for the sake of being richer, and distorted the rule of law as suits their whim. The bulk of the Republican members of Congress have marched along with the Bush agenda, abetting this shameless administration while walking hand in hand with their big money donors all the way to the bank. Corruption investigations of prominent Republican lawmakers, aides, and businessmen have exposed this party for what it has become, and rank and file Republicans across the country should be outraged. In 2006, maybe the Republicans can reclaim their party from the greedy and the warmongers and reach back to their roots supporting fiscal sanity, less intrusive federal government policies, and rational foreign policy objectives. And maybe they can restrain the vocal religious minority in their ranks who wish to legislate their theological doctrines, recognizing that religion belongs with the individual, not with the loudest proselytizer.
The Democrats seem energized at times and lackluster at others. So far, they have not been much of an opposition party during the Bush years, and they certainly have not been a party of ideas. Typically, the Democrats have served only as a bulwark against the most extreme positions of the Bush administration, while helping to pass or idly standing by as the face of this country becomes less and less familiar. Belatedly, Democrat lawmakers have begun to pressure the administration as more questionable practices are brought to light, but they are at the very least complicit in the growing degradation of this nation. In 2006, Democrats need to develop a vision that speaks to today’s citizens and problems, relying less on the status quo and more on leadership with the vision and courage to chart a new path for these tricky times. They need to envelop their disparate supporters and unify their agenda for change, while continuing to challenge the current leadership’s king-like tendencies. And they need to shed the perception that they are elitists and embrace core American voters.
Despite the corruption that runs wild in the halls of government, the real work lies with the American people. In all of Congress (435 Representatives, 100 Senators) there are only 2 Independent legislators. They are both from Vermont. With millions of Americans discarding the label of Republican or Democrat, where is their voice in Congress? 2006 should be the beginning of a groundswell of independent candidates and voices in the political process. Independents can espouse the best ideas of both parties without worrying about a “base ideology.” They can use real common sense and work for legislation that benefits all citizens, not just their party faithful. America should not be a country of us versus them. It should be a country of us, with laws created that balance the personal freedom of the individual with the necessary sacrifices of the whole. If we are ever to move forward and make the changes necessary to keep America safe, competitive, and prosperous in the future, we need to hear from more Americans who are not captive to an exclusionary ideology.
The issues that loom on the horizon include real health care reform for all Americans; real education reform that puts students first and adults second; a real energy policy that advances American energy independence; a real immigration policy that is enforced and viable; a focused and well thought out plan to end the war in Iraq and combat real world terrorism; and ending the assault on American citizens by our government, including the decay of civil rights, the inane drug war, and the plight of the poor.
2006 will be more than just a political year. We will surely face new natural disasters that expose our weakness when facing nature’s wrath. We will likely learn about more political and business corruption. We will surely face more terrorism around the world. 2006 will not see an end to these problems. But the current path we are on isn’t making our world a better place for anyone outside the political and business class that always benefits from a small minded, closed government. Let’s see 2006 be the year the people took back their government, their lives, and their future.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 27th, 2005 at 6:10 pm and is filed under Common Sense, Democracy, Government, Politics.
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December 28th, 2005 at 12:09 am
Hey Ken, Happy New Year!
Yes, I’ve been feeling a bit humbled as I’ve been reading ‘American Rebel’, Abbie Hoffman’s bio.. What that generation did was unbelieveable, and sadly has been lost on my generation.. I’m ashamed. Who ever has recently been jailed/fired for their political beliefs lately? Not so much that I’m aware of besides the odd Greenpeace activist, and the WTO protesters here in 97.. I think we’re buying the fear and paranoia, or the apathy.. But at least we’re buying free trade coffee, right? We can feel good about ourselves if we still have Kerry stickers on our cars, and buy organic veg. (Said with a note of mild sarcasm, mostly directed at myself..)
December 28th, 2005 at 7:01 am
Noise like the “war” on Christmas is designed to keep the Shrubberal’s eyes focused anywhere but on the performance of the Chimperor-as long as El Shrubbo can keep the airwaves loaded up with “news” like the abovementioned, or abortion, or the Ten Commandments, his radicalized base will continue to slavishly worship him. This, in turn, basically leaves him a free hand to continue the real agenda of disenfranchising and impoverishing all but the wellborn Americans-by gutting the public schools, making healthcare too expensive for everyone, and driving down the wage scale via the sieve border, El Shrubbo can create the kind of third-world aradise he and his ilk have longed for. And now with Diebold in the game, we can no longer be sure that even our votes are going to change anything.
There is only one solution to this-we must begin turning out at the polls in the same numbers the Shrubberals do, and we must not allow questionable electoral practices to continue. We either demand that which is Constitutionally ours, or we lose it. There is no in-between.
December 28th, 2005 at 8:35 pm
Since I have been reading you, I have noticed your intellectual commitment to the upliftment of America without malice and prejudice.
I believe that there are more Americans offline who will appreciate your political common sense than those online. Therefore, may I advise you to publish your collection of articles on the current affairs in America for the general public enlightenment of your people and others who are interested in the reformation of America for the common good of the world.
God bless.
December 28th, 2005 at 8:41 pm
We’ve all got our work cut out for us in 2006. If we do not fight against the tide of political corruption and the growing support for totalitarianism we are in danger of having no freedom at all to pass down to the future generations of Americans. The people do not matter at all to this administration or to the members of The House and The Senate. We must remember that these elected officials are our employees and that the Founding Fathers placed checks and balances into our system of government for very good reasons.
December 28th, 2005 at 10:09 pm
My biggest problem with President Bush is that he seems to have no real core values and beliefs beyond he is right. He is not conservative and goes against so many of the things he claims to believe when it comes to his powers. My favorite is that politicians can’t be trusted but we should never question him.
I have been having problems with the Democrats because they stand up for a minute and then go away for a while. I almost got in fights when I volunteered for the Dems in 2004 because there only strategy was not to lose big
December 28th, 2005 at 11:48 pm
Ken, you may actually sway me from being simply anti-incumbant to being pro-independent, but I am still of the persuasion that those in power are interested in maintaining the status quo and we can do much worse by doing a global find and replace – any seat that is open should be filled with some one who is not currently there. Minimally, that could served to put real people back in charge of our government rather than leaving it to the insanely wealthy.
Looks like this is your traditional lead in to a whole wonderful round of blog posts – Blog on brother, and happy new year.
December 29th, 2005 at 8:01 am
Hear, hear! http://www.welcometowallyworld.com
December 30th, 2005 at 6:36 am
(responses)
Chandira- We could all do more than we are, and it will take more real action to help make a change. Let’s see if we are up to the task in the year ahead. Happy New Year to you too!
Jolly- I hear you man. We need to get people to reengage the political system. Get out there and yell this year!
Good to hear from you as always.
Toniyah- Thanks for the support, and it will please you to know that I am working on putting out a book. You can help too…just send people over to Common Sense and have them spread the word.
Good luck to you in the new year.
KWW- Yes, we do have much work to do if we are to reclaim this country for the average person. I hope that 2006 will be a turning point for our country. Glad to hear from you again.
Me4- Not to lose big…what a strategy. Or…lie your ass off and spread fear.
Seems that we could do better. I know we deserve better. Thanks for the thoughts.
Windspike- Good to hear from you man. Since there are literally no independents in federal office, anti-incumbent to pro-independent has much the same result if successful. Happy New Year to you and yours, and I hope to meet your expectations in the coming months ahead.
Anon- Sorry folks…Wallyworld is closed.
December 30th, 2005 at 12:39 pm
Hey Ken;
Good brain food, as usual. 2006 will only we a turning point if enough citizens are disgusted enough to actually participate. Sound bite mentality is killing America.
I’ve sent you an email.
December 31st, 2005 at 5:05 am
As usual, I’m late to arrive! Anyway, I think that the period of 2000-2005 has been a dark period in America’s history. Here’s hoping the second half of this decade will bring improvement in many ways.
January 1st, 2006 at 8:24 am
Ken – Well written as always.
Stop by my blog for a view of 2005 from the OTHER side of the aisle.
My biggest hope is that we can learn to agree to disagree about some things, and make progress on others.
January 1st, 2006 at 2:05 pm
Ken:
This administration “has sacrificed the future opportunities of the poor and middle classes while helping the rich get richer for the sake of being richer, and distorted the rule of law as suits their whim. ”
This is one of those flasehoods that is routinely disseminated on the Left.
Have you ever tried to support this kind of information with the Census?
If you repeat a falsehood enough, it may yet become truth in your head, but it is still wrong.
January 2nd, 2006 at 4:47 am
I couldn’t agree more about Bush’s handling of our nations energy plan. I just blogged about how China will continue to compete with the U.S. for energy resources. You can read it at
http://mymountain.blogspot.com/2006/01/giant-slurping-sound-that-bush-cant.html
January 2nd, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Agree with so much of your post Ken. Let’s just hope for some good positive change.
January 3rd, 2006 at 8:01 am
(responses)
Jet- Good to hear from you again- yes, a change will take a lot of people on both sides of the fence coming together to steer America back on course. Let’s see if we’re up to paying attention and acting.
Shea- Turn on the lights brother! This is bad, but it could still get worse.
Peter- You sure do seem to have an optimistic outlook for the GOP. I don’t think I can agree on all of your point, but of course. time will tell.
Truth is, we all need to use more common sense and find common ground to make things right. I know that all republicans don’t walk the Bush line 100% just as all democrats aren’t lock-step with that party line. It’s the independents who need to be heard to restore some sense of sanity along the way.
Thanks for dropping by.
John- The right knows plenty about repeating a falsehood long enough until it becomes truth. At the very least, that is like the pot calling the kettle black.
However, cutting tax rates for the top income brackets, killing the tax on dividends, slashing education funding, supporting outsourcing of jobs, rescinding prevailing wages laws in LA rebuilding, promoting illegal immigration…
I could find ample support for all of those statements as easily as anyone else could.
Scott- Energy plan? You mean attack oil rich countries and funnel tax breaks to the energy companies? Yeah, that’s a great plan, isn’t it. Thanks for the comment.
Jessica- Yes…let’s. Happy New Year.