Why we should not be expecting Great Things

I beg to differ on not being able to do diddly if one party doesn't control the presidency and both chambers of congress. Reagan did just fine with the democrats in full control of the House. However he and Speaker Tip O'Neal would talk with each other and work out compromises. They worked together. During G.H.W. Bush, the Democrats controlled both chambers of congress, during Bill Clinton's last six years,the Republicans had full control of congress. Yet both accomplished quite a lot. You can take this all the way back to Eisenhower who had LBJ, then the Democratic Senate Majority Leader over to the White House every week to discuss how to get IKE's agenda through a Democratic dominated congress. JFK and LBJ both worked great with then Republican senate minority leader Everit Dirksen. So no, a president doesn't need his party to control both chambers of congress to get anything done.

Now I'll admit, the above is in a bygone era. It's not in today's modern political era of polarization, divisiveness and mega, ultra high partisanship. Where neither party wants to talk to the other let alone cooperate and compromise. It's become an all or nothing approach. You can blame the leaders of both major parties for that.

It's true about the senate, even if the democrats win both Georgia seats, that leaves a 50-50 tie. All it takes is one Democratic senator to go against the party line, defeat. The Republicans have picked up a net gain of 12 seats in the house with 2 left to decide. Republicans flipped 15 Democratic seats. The Democrats flipped 3 Republican seats. Last election. 236 Democrats, 199 Republican. Current count, 222 Democrat, 211 Republican 2 still to be determined, NY 22 and IA 2. Instead of a 37 seat majority in the last House, even if the democrats win the last two, their majority has been cut to 13. 7 defections from the party line by the Democrats in the house will doom whatever they wanted there.

This election was weird. If not for the presidency, the Republicans would be spouting all about their successes down ballot. Gaining 12 seats in the house, 2 state legislatures and a governorship gained. Yes, it will tough going for Biden unless somehow he can bring back the bygone era of respect both parties had for the other and both willing to work together or at least compromise now and then.

 

OF COURSE DEBT MATTERS!

The first question that posits itself is, "Where is the National Debt coming from?"

What the PotUS and the HofR need is a law saying that additions-to-debt above any given existing level must be voted by the entire population (who have to pay it by means of their taxation)!

That law may never get passed! It would provoke a Colossal Seizure in Total National Government Spending.

Watch DC then turn into a ghost-town. From here: Tax Policy Center

But, we'e already seen that statement pictured in a post here above. To provoke once again the question, Just Where Is Government Spending Going? Frankly, that is the question that we should be asking ourselves with the incoming New PotUS Management!

This below caption came readily to mind because aside from the Whopping Amount that goes to the DoD the rest looks like this below!


I am surprised but also elated that there appears to be a somewhat significant amount being spent on Medicare. (The country badly needs it!)

But I cannot believe it is sufficient to the entire population! And I will harp once again that the DoD Need Not be the largest spender of the US Budget. But National Healthcare and Post-secondary Education should both assume that role.

Let's remember that the DoD is the component that costs the most in funding but also produces the most death of our youth. Oh yes it does! See here:
United States military casualties of war. (You must drill-down to the bottom of the list.)

MY POINT: The consequence of which is not the fault of the DoD - they are just doing their job as dictated by the PotUS! And who, pray tell, elected that person? JUST LOOK IN THE MIRROR ... !