One More Time- for the 2006 Election

I hope that the pundit's wishful thinking doesn't come true. That is the change in control of both the House and Senate. My wish is that it's neither.

Speculation is rampant on what this would mean. We are getting a lot of press on
Democrats who would be in leadership positions in the House, if the Dem's gain control. From the individuals themselves and from a cheer leading main stream press, we get impeachment proceedings, tax increases, investigations and hearings for every economic sector which is profitable or successful, minimum wage increases and other sops to their union pals, and on and on.

As a hick in East Texas, I'd like to take a stab at a few I haven't heard discussed - not saying they haven't- just that I haven't heard them.

First changing the rules. If the Dem's get the Senate I predict that they will by hook or crook, attempt to change the rules back to a simple majority. The main stream press will extol the virtue of majority rule , simple fairness, etc.

Protectionism will swell with intense speed. The poor American worker - union that is- only making $25 per hour for sweeping floors will be the poster boy for tariffs, trade restrictions, etc.

More government programs will be the order of the day. To hell with defense, those nice suicide bombers just need love and understanding and they will leave them alone. What we really need is more federal money for schools (NEA), the environment (Sierra Club), and every special interest group that votes Democrat. The Republicans will look like misers compared to them. If you doubt this think Great Society.

Government agencies will become the KGB of the Democratic Congress. Charlie Rangle who will most likely head Ways & Means has already said the IRS needs to close the collection gap on unpaid taxes. As a practicing CPA for nearly thirty years I can attest to dealing with that agency under Democratic appointed Commissioners. In this vain the Dem's will rejuvenate the "fairness doctrine" which can be used to mute talk radio. It would follow that regulatory control of the internet would follow. This would be used to selectively restrict blogs, chat rooms, etc. - not "Moveon.org." of course.

The military will wilt. Through restrictive appropriations the capability of the very people they will lean on to advance their agenda will diminish. Iraq is bad, but Somalia, Bosnia, Hatti, those Clinton battle grounds are good - especially if the French will send a couple of hundred troops to add legitimacy. Military personnel will be trashed. One might remember Mrs. Clinton trying to make the marine guards at the White House her personal servants.

It's too bad that the memory is so short. Those of us who lived it should re-live the Jimmy Carter years of 22% interest rates, 14% inflation, a military that couldn't muster 9 workable helicopters to try and free hostages in Iran. Income tax rates as high as 70% ( and that was after Kennedy had brought it down from 90%). This could go on and on.

I can only hope that the law of unintended consequences will kick in and the complacent public will get a belly full of the Democratic party before the 2008 elections.