Posted by
Andrews on Saturday, December 26, 2009 12:48:07 PM
I have one worry. I am pretty certain the Republicans stand to make considerable gains in 2010. After all, we have an unprecedented defection from a majority party to the minority in a non-election year, so it seems clear the Democrats are facing problems. However, just because the Republicans win, it does not follow they will do the right thing.
In 1994 the Contract With America spelled out a number of changes, and, for the most part, the party followed that plan. For two years. And then they stopped and because just the same as they were in 1992. And I worry not only will the same happen with the class of 2010, but I worry they will even drop the ball on the most important issue, the one which will get them elected.
And that is starting 2011 by reversing this health care abomination.
Unfortunately, I doubt they will do it. After all, they will have a long, hard fight with Obama and the Democrats, and that will mean they will have to not just pass easy, symbolic bills, but actually undertake a real, long term conflict, face bad press and generally do things politicians seem unwilling to do. In addition, those who stand to benefit from ObamaCare will mount lobbying efforts, and that will make them reluctant. Finally, it will mean reducing government power. And no matter how much the Republicans might claim to want small government, most are still politicians, and reducing government power goes against the grain for them.
I hope I am wrong, and we get a new breed in office, who is not afraid of ruffling feathers, who don't care about collegiality, who can't be intimidated by bad press and really wants smaller government, but somehow I doubt it. The minute they are accused of wanting the poor to die in the streets (though they weren't prior to the passage of ObamaCare, I am sure that will be the claim), they will fold, and we will be stuck with no only ObamaCare, but a congress full of RINOs once more.