Obama and no Checks & Balances

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2003
Obama and no Checks & Balances
69
Tue, 10-28-2008 - 12:53pm

Is anyone else worried that Obama probably will win the presidency, the Democrats very likely will have control over both houses of Congress, and there might be enough votes to break the filibuster? I would be OK if one or two of these factors happened, but not all three. We will have no Checks & Balances. I would feel this way whether the Republicans or the Democrats had power. No party ever should be this dominant and have this much power. Is anyone else worried about the potential loss of our Checks & Balances?

~Amy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2007
Tue, 10-28-2008 - 5:22pm

I don't understand why people want examples of Obama bucking his own party. I personally would rather not see him voting in line with Bush and most republicans. Being bi-partisan does not mean that you have to be controversial within your own party, it just means that you are willing to work with the other party. Can you give me some examples of McCain's controversial bi-partisanship within the last 2 or 3 years?


Chrissy
mom to Aidan 8/21/03
Grayson Blaine 12/30/07

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Tue, 10-28-2008 - 5:36pm
The big one - Immigration reform.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 10-28-2008 - 5:49pm
Yes I worry about it very much!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-20-2008
Tue, 10-28-2008 - 5:53pm
Wow - what an informative post!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2007
Tue, 10-28-2008 - 6:10pm

Are you referring to his 2006

Chrissy
mom to Aidan 8/21/03
Grayson Blaine 12/30/07

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-20-2008
Tue, 10-28-2008 - 6:11pm
Ok but that was a democratic bill wasn't it? So if Obama voted for it, as well as McCain, it is considered 'voting with his party' that is why the whole 'controversial' issues thing doesn't make sense.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 9:39am

Jane, what I am saying is that Obama has never been willing to buck the party line on anything.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2007
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 10:24am

You are aware that many of Obama's supporters are happy that he has voted with his party most of the time? Many are unhappy with George Bush and republicans in general. Why would we want someone who voted along their line? Obama doesn't have to show how he's "bucked" his party b/c right now, many people would rather see how a candidate is different than Bush/republicans not how he is the same. Whether it's fair or not, b/c McCain is a republican he needs to show the American people how he would be different than the current republican President. Obama, on the other hand, does not need to show how he is different from the democrats b/c for many voters it is a non-issue. Also, you mentioned immigration reform as an area where McCain has been controversial within his own party in the past 2 years, however you failed to mention that he himself, would no longer support his own proposal. No matter what the reasons for that shift may be, you have to realize that to many it is viewed as him backing down to his party in exchange for the nomination and/or pandering to the "base" for votes.


Chrissy
mom to Aidan 8/21/03
Grayson Blaine 12/30/07

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-20-2008
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 4:29pm

Too bad, so sad. The last thing I wanted 8 years ago was for Bush to win the election - which actually he didn't but that is beside the point. The last thing I wanted following that election was for the republicans to control congress and the White House. The last thing I wanted 4 years ago was for him to win again. The last thing I wanted was for us to be embroiled in a war in Iraq when we had not yet found Bin Laden, but there we are. The last thing I wanted was a president who would run up a record debt after having started office with a surplus.

But you see, as an adult I realize that I don't always get what I want. I can live with that. I can live with democrats controlling both the House and the Senate and a democrat in the White House as well. I realize you don't want that to happen, but I'll bet you will learn to live with it just like I did. Just remember, what ever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. After surviving Bush and his cronies for the last 8 years I am feeling pretty darn strong by golly!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2006
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 4:41pm

I thought about posting something similar, but you said it better than I would have. I agree, lj_jacieb. Especially this part...


IF Obama wins, and people are really concerned about the direction of the country or the "balance of power" between the parties, they will only have to deal with it for two years.


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