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http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/benamon/061113

...as the Democrats finish celebrating their victory in both the House and the Senate, I wonder, what's next? America wants to know how they will govern.

President Bush offered humble congratulations to various Democrats who secured a win, but are Democrats willing to be as gracious in return? Are they going to take their jobs seriously, working with Republicans to help move the country forward? Or are we going to continue to witness the knockout, drag down fights in, now, both houses of Congress?

Rep. Nancy Pelosi recently announced that her intentions were, in the House to "drain the swamp" after Republicans have had control. That doesn't sound too bipartisan to me. It seems that the House was the only branch of government that worked efficiently in the past, passing legislature that were important to most Americans. The Senate was a mess. Now, my hope is that I don't see the House in shambles as badly as the Senate was.

The problem is that both sides, the Republicans and Democrats have only been approaching problems though a political view. They have been trying to please a certain electorate to gain votes during an election season (the illegal immigration issue, for example) and not necessarily doing what is best for our nation. Certain policies, in the future, may come under fire.

I am hoping that the Democrat majority can fight off an attempt by the far-left to lobby to rally for policies that are far from the norm, and out of step from the values that most Americans believe in. It's just time to use some common sense. For example:

• The fight over stem-cell research. All of the facts need to be explored. Adult-stem cells have not been given the spotlight as much as Embryonic-stem cells have been. Adult-stem cells have promise, but it is not being publicized as much. This only presents the American public with a one-sided view.
  
  
• The abortion fight continues. Partial-birth abortion is MURDER, plain and simple. When there is noticeably a human being, growing and being nourished within the mother, an act as brutal and horrifying as partial-birth abortion should be outlawed! I hope that the bill Pres. Bush signed banning partial-birth abortion won't be reversed. To me, ANY abortion procedure that terminates life should be BANNED! It's common sense that we are killing off the next generation! Surely we can, instead, promote adoption instead of abortion.
  
  
• Now that we have a new Secretary of Defense, I would hope that the war in Iraq would take a different course, a course in strongly dealing with our enemy and helping Iraqis get control over their country, so our troops can eventually leave. I hope that a Democrat majority would not wail about an immediate withdrawal from Iraq before everything is somewhat stable there, and Iraqis have a firm grip on what's going on. Democrats should not undermine the job our troops have done and continue to do in Iraq.
  
  
• Our American heritage and traditions need to remain intact. Hopefully, a Democratic Congress would not dismantle our foundations that have made this country strong because of some in the secular and far-left lobby who are making noise about it. There is such a thing as respect for our American traditions, and tolerance for them should be upheld from the fact that most Americans believe in God and acknowledge Him in public. We DO have the freedom to do that.
  
  
• In America, we speak ENGLISH. I would hope that Congress would realize that English is the one language in which we need to continue to unite under, and that those who desire to come to America should assimilate into our culture and way of life. We unite together as one, as Americans.
  
  
• On illegal immigration, this new Congress should listen to the people. In the time of war that our nation is facing, what would make more sense than to completely guard our borders with intensity and build a wall (not a fence) to protect it? Since 89% view illegal immigration as a problem, shouldn't lawmakers take it upon themselves to put together a bill that would be tough on illegal immigration?!

I am hoping for much reform, but in areas where there is obvious need for reform...such as in the areas of illegal immigration, education, and pork spending/out-of-control spending, for example. Those are non-partisan issues (on immigration, since Americans overwhelmingly favor something done about the situation), and SURELY gains could be made in those areas.

I guess it's best now that the tide has turned, so to speak. Republicans had control of both the House and Senate and they got too comfortable, power hungry, and turned a deaf ear to their constituents. I'm not saying Democrats are immune to any of those symptoms either, but when we send people to Washington to work for us, we mean it. And we are watching.

I would not have personally voted to put Democrats back in power. Both parties need to understand that there are other choices out there. There are people who represent 3rd parties who have not been drunk with power and understand what it means to truly give your service to the people.

Senator Joe Lieberman, for example, is one person who has his head on straight; he is not bound by party politics, and made a correct move by identifying himself as an Independent. He thinks rationally, and that's what we need in this day and age.

There is much talk among conservatives who are ruing the day the Democrats came to power. It's not the end of the world now that Democrats have control of both Houses. It is simply the job of the American people as a whole, to make sure that, whatever party that's in power, will work on behalf of us. Maybe now, more conservatives, more Americans in general, would step up to the plate and demand what they expect of their government.

It is my wish that I would see more and more people involved in the political process and not sit on the sidelines and allow others to do all of the hard work. Keeping our government in check is an ongoing process. Your work doesn't stop at the polls on Election Day.

Related Reading:

Pelosi Says She Would Drain GOP "Swamp":
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/06/AR2006100600602.html

So You Think Abortion is Harmless?:
http://priestsforlife.org/resources/photosassorted/

Students at Calif. College Ban Pledge of Allegiance:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061110/us_nm/life_pledge_dc

Public Opinion Polls on Immigration:
http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_researchd74c

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