The Way I See It - Observations of a political junkie
The Way I See It
by Doug Dickerson
Staff Writer
October 18, 2006
Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.
-Will Rogers
The mid-term Congressional, State and local elections are now less than a month away. By most accounts of what I have read and listened to, most of us are fed up and rightfully so. As a self-diagnosed political junkie, I have a few observations as to what is going on.
First, let’s take a look at the Congressional elections. The 109th Congress has been compared to the Congress of 1948 which Truman described as the “do nothing Congress.” By comparison, the 109th Congress may have actually accomplished less. There is good reason for this. They are simply not there much. In the 1960s and 70s, Congress spent an average of about 162 days in session. In the 1980s and 90s, the average was at around 139 days. The 109th Congress will come in at around 71 days. The average salary for your Congressman is $165,200 a year. They work less, are paid more, and accomplish less than at any time in history. Now, let me ask you, who are the blockheads, Congress, or us, the voters, who keep sending them back?
I don’t care whether you are a Democrat or Republican, a liberal or a conservative, or like me, somewhere in between, what we have witnessed in Washington this session is enough for me to want to see them all thrown out of office. The lack of accomplishment and scandals only shows that far too many are only in it for themselves and maintaining their power.
This Congress, both the Democrats and Republicans, have failed to deliver for us. Some new faces in Washington sure would be nice.
Secondly, three weeks out, I will go on record with my prediction that Governor Sanford will narrowly win re-election. That’s not to say Tommy Moore does not stand a very good chance of upsetting Sanford, but I will stick with my prediction. In victory, Sanford will serve out his second term handicapped by his family feud with fellow Republicans. His mild-mannered, soft-spoken appeal, coupled with his maverick political stripes, will make for a bumpy ride in the second term. Sanford’s window of opportunity for meaningful legislation comes in the next two years. In that time, unlike the last four years, he must reach out to fellow Republicans in ways that he didn’t his first term. As we have seen, having a majority in the House to work with means nothing unless you include the players who help make it happen. The good ole boy system is very much alive and well in 2006, and the good ole boys have huge egos that must be stroked, whether we like it or not. After the November elections in 2008, all bets are off as the candidates line up to be his successor and Sanford breaks out for the national political spotlight.
And, the races in Berkeley County are heating up. Come January, Berkeley County will have a new Supervisor, be it Dan Davis or Ben Coker. On a personal note, I like both men. I came to know them through the election forum this paper did. I genuinely believe both men have the best interests of Berkeley County citizens at heart.
Unlike the Governor’s race, I will not make any predictions. Whoever emerges victorious faces many challenges with growth, infrastructure concerns, taxes and so forth. The pledges made, concerns expressed and priorities emphasized by the candidates, is what the citizens of Berkeley County expect the next Supervisor to deliver. I, along with you, will be watching.
The most interesting races in Berkeley County will likely be for School Board. I am not sure enough time has passed since reassessment and the pain in the pocketbook to salvage the seats of the incumbents. Yet, the newly constructed schools and remodeled ones have at least given a visual for where the money has gone and the improvements are impressive.
Great strides have been made, yet much remains to be done. On Election Day, the voters will go to the polls and grade the incumbents. Whether they pass or fail, we will just have to wait and see.
©Summerville Journal-Scene 2006
by Doug Dickerson
Staff Writer
October 18, 2006
Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.
-Will Rogers
The mid-term Congressional, State and local elections are now less than a month away. By most accounts of what I have read and listened to, most of us are fed up and rightfully so. As a self-diagnosed political junkie, I have a few observations as to what is going on.
First, let’s take a look at the Congressional elections. The 109th Congress has been compared to the Congress of 1948 which Truman described as the “do nothing Congress.” By comparison, the 109th Congress may have actually accomplished less. There is good reason for this. They are simply not there much. In the 1960s and 70s, Congress spent an average of about 162 days in session. In the 1980s and 90s, the average was at around 139 days. The 109th Congress will come in at around 71 days. The average salary for your Congressman is $165,200 a year. They work less, are paid more, and accomplish less than at any time in history. Now, let me ask you, who are the blockheads, Congress, or us, the voters, who keep sending them back?
I don’t care whether you are a Democrat or Republican, a liberal or a conservative, or like me, somewhere in between, what we have witnessed in Washington this session is enough for me to want to see them all thrown out of office. The lack of accomplishment and scandals only shows that far too many are only in it for themselves and maintaining their power.
This Congress, both the Democrats and Republicans, have failed to deliver for us. Some new faces in Washington sure would be nice.
Secondly, three weeks out, I will go on record with my prediction that Governor Sanford will narrowly win re-election. That’s not to say Tommy Moore does not stand a very good chance of upsetting Sanford, but I will stick with my prediction. In victory, Sanford will serve out his second term handicapped by his family feud with fellow Republicans. His mild-mannered, soft-spoken appeal, coupled with his maverick political stripes, will make for a bumpy ride in the second term. Sanford’s window of opportunity for meaningful legislation comes in the next two years. In that time, unlike the last four years, he must reach out to fellow Republicans in ways that he didn’t his first term. As we have seen, having a majority in the House to work with means nothing unless you include the players who help make it happen. The good ole boy system is very much alive and well in 2006, and the good ole boys have huge egos that must be stroked, whether we like it or not. After the November elections in 2008, all bets are off as the candidates line up to be his successor and Sanford breaks out for the national political spotlight.
And, the races in Berkeley County are heating up. Come January, Berkeley County will have a new Supervisor, be it Dan Davis or Ben Coker. On a personal note, I like both men. I came to know them through the election forum this paper did. I genuinely believe both men have the best interests of Berkeley County citizens at heart.
Unlike the Governor’s race, I will not make any predictions. Whoever emerges victorious faces many challenges with growth, infrastructure concerns, taxes and so forth. The pledges made, concerns expressed and priorities emphasized by the candidates, is what the citizens of Berkeley County expect the next Supervisor to deliver. I, along with you, will be watching.
The most interesting races in Berkeley County will likely be for School Board. I am not sure enough time has passed since reassessment and the pain in the pocketbook to salvage the seats of the incumbents. Yet, the newly constructed schools and remodeled ones have at least given a visual for where the money has gone and the improvements are impressive.
Great strides have been made, yet much remains to be done. On Election Day, the voters will go to the polls and grade the incumbents. Whether they pass or fail, we will just have to wait and see.
©Summerville Journal-Scene 2006
posted by Doug Dickerson | 7:08 AM
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