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November 16, 2004
What’s in store for the next four
Everyone take a step back and a long, slow breath. Recognize the world we now live in. George W. Bush has been re-elected as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States, a title so few have held before him.
There is nothing anyone can do that will put their favored candidate in office (if Bush was not your first choice).
With his victory, Bush will retain that office for a maximum of approximately 215 more weeks.
During that period, he will enjoy a Republican majority Congress for at least 104 of those weeks, not counting time out of session.
Republican, Democrat, Green, or Better Life party loyalties do not matter. If this does not disturb you, I do not know what will.
During that time, Bush could continue raising the national debt with tax cuts and wartime deficit spending, all while simultaneously trying to cut the deficit in half (read: hypocrisy).
During his first term, Bush did not veto a spending bill. I expect this lack of fiscal responsibility to continue.
Again, I fail to see how Bush can reduce the deficit with his spending plans.
Beginning when Bush is sworn into office again in early January, Democrats and dissenting Republicans must rely on the filibuster to halt Bush-endorsed legislation.
However, the filibuster is only usable in the Senate.
Currently, Republicans are five crucial votes short of stopping a potentially infinite filibuster.
Unfortunately, a filibuster can only be maintained for so long and eventually leaves an ugly taste in one’s mouth.
In addition, a new era of Supreme Court Justices will be nominated. Chief Justice William Rehnquist has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and his health is failing. He was absent when the court reconvened on Nov. 1.
Currently, the Court is balanced 4-4 between conservative and liberal justices, with Sandra Day O’Connor generally providing the swing vote on crucial issues.
If Bush begins to appoint new justices beyond the inevitable replacement of Chief Justice Rehnquist, entire generations after President Bush leaves office will be subject to the court decisions of his appointees.
Also, the court is an aging group. Of the nine justices, all but Clarence Thomas, who turned 56 this year, are senior citizens.
In addition, the makeup of the Court has not changed since 1994, when President Clinton nominated Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Before her nomination, the longest gap was five years, from 1925 to 1930, half of the decade-long stasis our Court has withstood.
If these nominations occur before the first Tuesday in November of 2006, conservatives could have control over all three branches of the government.
Effectively, the system of checks and balances could be disrupted by such complete control.
Fortunately, Bush has only between 18 and 24 months to accomplish his agenda before the entire House and one-third of the Senate comes up for re-election.
One can only hope detrimental legislation and nominations are voted down and remain in Congress.
Posted by msveum at November 16, 2004 11:22 AM
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