Politics

I have seen some interesting articles about politics lately -- specifically, about the Democrats. They are both encouraging and not so encouraging.

The encouraging news has two parts. First, the possibility is growing stronger that the Democrats will do well in the upcoming midterm elections. This is not certain, or even likely, but it is possible, and more so by the day. Second, there have been articles wherein people have expressed both scorn and dismay at the notion offered by some Democrats that if they do so well as to gain control of one or the other houses of Congress, then they should embark on a campaign of retribution and investigation (which I take to mean not real investigation, but investigation as retribution). Those who have come out against it have made the point that not only is it inherently a bad idea, but the sight of a Democrat merely suggesting the possibility is a decent way of scuttling the Democrats chances in November.

The discouraging news is that this being politics, there are people who are playing politics with the whole idea of winning in November. Specifically, some people are saying that it might be better politically for the Democrats were they to almost but not quite win either or both houses. The logic is that then the Republicans would still be in control, and could therefore continue to be held responsible for problems, so that come the presidential elections, their ignominy would be enormous if the problems continued, and the likelihood of the presidential elections going Democratic would therefore be greater. They also suggest that if the Democrats do win one or both houses, but just barely, then the Republicans would become the finger pointers, able to limit the Democrats abilities to enact change while still being able to say that as the Democrats are in charge, all problems are their fault; therefore, they should go for either a massive win or a near-win.

I am amazed and dismayed by that logic. It is the logic of shyster lawyers and of losers. It is the logic of National Politicians -- and I've already made my feelings known about that breed.