After the passage of the immensely unpopular healthcare reform bill, much has been said and written about the pounding the Democrats are going to take in November. Democratic Congress members and Senators are retiring in never before seen numbers rather than face their angry constituents and a tough re-election battle. Even Democratic strategists and supporters are lamenting the strong potential for the sweeping of Democrats from the majority position in Congress.
While there is much pleasure being taken regarding this prediction by those who are opposed to the direction the Democrats are taking this country, there is one big question that remains. What happens when you back a donkey with nothing to lose into a corner?
The Democrats in Congress have shown a propensity for willingly and arrogantly ignoring the will of the people in their push to implement their agenda come hell or high water. They passed the so-called healthcare reform bill despite the majority of Americans rejecting it in poll after poll. Their main argument was that Americans would learn to love it once they understood what it entailed and how they would benefit. If the Democrats were willing to do this before it became clear there could be a major political power shift coming in November, one can only wonder what will happen now.
I have heard a considerable number of conspiracy theories over this very subject, from stolen elections through electoral fraud to the cancellation of elections after a staged terrorist event on American soil to a brown shirt-style suppression of opposition candidates. I really think these are just wild accusations from really angry, imaginative individuals. Could it happen? Possibly. But, not only would it be highly unlikely for such activities to be successful on a national level, I still have enough faith in the American people that they would not stand for such behavior. And I honestly don’t think Democratic leaders are dumb enough, powerful enough, or deranged enough to even seriously consider attempting such a wild move.
What does worry me is what they will do with the knowledge they are likely going to lose exclusive power in November. With many Democrats not willing to face their constituents in a bid for re-election, they have nothing to lose and no one to answer to. Basically they are nothing more than kids in a candy store looking for the ultimate sugar high. There is nothing to stop them from passing and implementing some of their more radical policy dreams in their push for greater central government control over the lives of the American people. Their drive to change the cultural, ideological, and philosophical landscape of this great country can proceed at full speed ahead with no speed bumps, traffic cops, or red lights to impede their progress. Is there a legislative scorched earth strategy being put into place by Democratic leadership in an attempt to get some of their most radical policies put into law before being swept from power? Will they try to ram through Cap and Trade? Or will it be some other, more draconian, environmental policy? Will there be an immigration reform bill that gives amnesty, or citizenship, to all those who are currently in this country in violation of established law? Will there be further attempts to take over the financial sectors? Will there be a value added tax forced upon the American people in an attempt to pay for the skyrocketing federal spending spree? All of these legislative issues are currently in circulation in various congressional committees with nothing standing in the way of their passage. Of course, there should be no illusions that if any of these bills be passed President Obama would be more than happy to sign them into law as quickly as they can get to his desk and he can grab a pen.
In the end, what happens when you back a donkey with nothing to lose into a corner? America pays heavily with its culture, political landscape, and institutions permanently and irreversibly changed. With the Democrats having nothing to lose and no one to answer to, anything becomes a real possibility. What remains to be seen is how much damage will have been done once the dust has settled.
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