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| Artwork by Donna Grethen |
A U.S. President whose party has
control of both houses of Congress is a rare occurrence in the last
half-century. It’s only happened 12
years since 1969, 25% of the 48 years. And
usually for no more than two year spans.
Control of both Congress and the Oval Office for four consecutive years
has only occurred twice during this period and at no time has it lasted more
than four years.
By contrast, during the preceding 68
years, 1901 to 1969, the White House and the majority in Congress were of the
same party for 52 years, or 76.47% of the time.
This is three times more frequently than the last 48 years. No wonder we have gridlock.
So with a self-proclaimed Republican
maverick about to occupy the White House and a Republican-controlled Congress
there’s an unusual opportunity to fix the fundamental problems that have
plagued Washington
for many decades. Those who voted for Trump should not lose sight of this in
the years ahead, particularly if they fail to act.
Policies related to health care,
immigration, free trade, deregulation, and the like will continue to ebb and
flow with different administrations as they always have, but the insidious
cancer of big money influence in federal elections has remained untreated for
many years. It has to be addressed
now. To ignore it at this pivotal
juncture is to risk government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Absent from the political spotlight for
some time with Democrats and Republicans alike is the desperate need for term
limits for members of Congress and, most importantly, campaign finance reform,
both of which I believe are the root causes of most of what ails this country.
Retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry
Reid (D-Nev.) addressed campaign financing in his recent farewell address when
he said: “Something has to be done about
the outrageous amount of money from sources that are dark, unknown, now
involved in our federal elections.
“If this doesn’t change,” he said,
“...in a couple more election cycles, we’re going to be just like Russia...We’re
going to have a plutocracy - a few rich guys telling our leader what to do.”
Right now Washington is largely populated with
vampires who have sold their souls to the rich and powerful. Trump was principally elected because he was
a Washington-outsider not yet tainted by the devil’s blood. Yet, paradoxically, Trump as a beguiling
billionaire could be the devil incarnate.
But for now, I will reluctantly give
President-elect Trump the benefit of the doubt and hope he can abandon his
self-interests and find the courage to fix what is endemically wrong with Washington. In order to do so, he has to speak softly and
carry a big wooden stake.
Of course, expecting politicians to
willingly allow a wooden stake to be driven through their own hearts is
unrealistic. It’s going to require a
shrewd Washington
outsider in the White House, along with solid support from media and the public
to wrestle the Capital away from the devil. I fear this may be our last, best hope.
Early indications suggest Trump will
only carry on the Washington
tradition of treating the symptoms, while leaving the malignancy
untreated. Whether or not Trump
rejuvenates the economy, the disease will still be insidiously killing our form
of government. Haven’t we had enough of
this from both parties!? Wake up
Americans and think! Demand campaign
finance reform and term-limits when we are availed with such a unique
opportunity. And hold your
representatives accountable if they fail to do so.
