“A wise and frugal government …”

Thomas Jefferson

With the results of the 1992 election now a fait-accompli, President Clinton finds himself faced with the same type of hostile Congress as did his two predecessors.  And, while there have been the predictable, post-election peace overtures from both the White House and the Republican leadership, the next two years have the potential of being marked by frequent, often contentious disagreements between the Administration and Congress. 

During the first half of his term, a short-sighted Bill Clinton conscientiously ignored his “loyal opposition” in the mistaken belief he could railroad a fairly liberal political agenda through a Democratically controlled House and Senate.  Interestingly, his greatest successes came as the result of Republican support. 

Clearly, last week’s election was the most recent manifestation of voter frustration with a government they perceive is out of touch with their lives, accountable to no one, and whose main priority seems to have been the self-preservation of its member’s elite positions.  The Republican landslide was also a reaction to a well-orchestrated, two year campaign of personal attacks against the President and his wife.  So vindictive has been the hate spewed forth by any number of anti-Clinton groups that even when he occasionally demonstrated real leadership and acted in the best spirit of the American ideal, he was derided and given no credit for his accomplishments.

In the days leading up to the election, reasonable political debate succumbed to the point where, had Bill Clinton had gone on national television and announced to the American people, “I am a liar”; his critics from the “right” would have accused him of deceiving the public.

In seven weeks, the new Congress will convene under the leadership of Bob Dole and Newt Gingrich.  Under our constitutional system, the House and Senate, together with the President, are granted the privilege of helping to govern our nation.  Voters should expect no less than a bi-partisan effort to address the challenges they will face …

  • stemming the hemorrhaging of a continuing budget deficit, down this year in spite of the government’s meddling;
  • reforming health care to ensure no American is denied needed care because of financial circumstances;
  • minimizing the cost and influence of government in the private sector, thereby creating an environment in which new technologies and and better paying jobs can flourish;
  • protecting the constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly when they are under assault from extremists groups who may have plowed millions into campaign coffers;
  • eliminate the waste and inefficiencies in major social and environmental programs … from the Superfund and welfare to Medicare and Social Security; and
  • continuing to orchestrate democracy and freedom around the globe while not becoming a world policeman forever dispatching armed troops around the globe to protect non-existent American interests.

In order to accomplish these noble and necessary goals, Democrats and Republicans, alike, must forget the rhetoric of the past two years.  Charged language, such as “gridlock”, and personal attacks must be replaced with concepts of, honest philosophical differences of opinion and respect for others with differing opinions.

While thoughts of resurrecting the Harry Truman approach of, “I’m doing what I damn well please for the next two years and to hell with them (the Republicans)”, may be satisfying to some left-leaning members of the White House team, it will only provide Rush Limbaugh and the legions of Clinton-bashers more ammunition for their vitriolic attacks.  At the same time, any Republican efforts to “get even” with the president for his attempts to ignore them throughout much of the past two years will diminish their ability to steer the nation’s social and economic agenda in the direction their constituency desires. 

The proverbial gridlock will ensue … with the public paying the ultimate price!

Although a Republican dominated Congress and the Democratic Administration have many philosophical differences, their first and only obligation is to serve all the people of the United States.  Compromise, the essence of successful politics, will be essential. 

It is now time cease the endless posturing and opposition-bashing and to get on with the awesome responsibility of crafting a fiscally responsible, socially caring, less costly, more accountable and ultimately less intrusive society. 

If they don’t … the lot of them should be tossed out en mass two years from now!