HAVING A REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL MAJORITY MEANS NOTHING

SPECIAL POST

With the expected defeat Saturday of Mary Landrieu, Republicans gained another seat in the Senate and are now in their best position in my lifetime to do some good for the country.  But... will they?  

Historically, at least over the last 30 years,  the Republicans have fumbled the ball whenever they take possession.  Whenever they have controlled Congress and the White House, they have historically done little of any significance.  The major question is... why not?  

Republicans have been a divided camp ever since before Reagan.  Reagan was a great uniter, but when he left office the party fell apart... again.  Basically, you have two camps: the Good Old Boy moderates, and the Conservatives.  The Conservatives have been outwitted and out-maneuvered, leaving the GOBs in charge; the GOBs enjoy shooting, shooting, and shooting.... themselves in the feet.  That's how we end up with the Doles, Bushes, Romneys and McCains of the world running for high office.  Even one of the country's best Presidents in history, Ronald Reagan, was shunned and marginalized by the Republican old guard until Reagan's popularity among the voters overcame their tactics.  

The country delivered a loud and strong message to Washington in the last election: they're damned tired of the way things are being run.  The Republicans were also handed a mandate: change the way things are being done.  So far, however, I haven't heard any chorus arising among the Republicans saying they are willing to take that torch and run with it.  Right out of the gate, they have looked like total jackasses when it comes to Obama and his Executive Order on immigration.  I see no unified party ready to take Obama head-on.  Instead, all I have seen is hand wringing and statements about what they can't do. 

Having seized an outstanding majority, the ball is in their court.  But, having the majority doesn't mean a damned thing.  They have to take that ball and move it firmly down the field of play, and in order to do so they are going to have to mend some fences and find common ground upon which to unite.  

That's MY AMERICAN OPINION, respectfully submitted.