"Center" Government

I've realized what an interesting summer it is to be in Washington D.C. It is historic in which the nation's first black (sort of) President appointed the nation's first (maybe) Hispanic justice to the United States Supreme Court. Obama's agenda has been the most liberal, most progressive agenda our nation has ever seen. In my view, he has already outdone FDR and he is not even one year into his presidency. Just the government takeover of what were private industries and banks signals a step further than FDR. The largest majority by the Democrats in recent history has also yielded a history infighting that is impossible to ignore.

These same questions exist on the Republican side as well. The question of winning seats/sticking to one's "principles" seems to lack a fairly cohesive answer. Certain divisions seem to be put aside when there is a strong leader to the political party. George W's strength in 2004 quelled internal party dissension... Barack Obama's strength seems to have ignited the Democrats to electoral success. However a very different result seems to be in store for Obama's legislative agenda.

The "Blue Dog" Democrats are a group that fascinates me. Dr. Bobb wants to spend some time identifying them and researching their districts a bit. It is no secret that they come from relatively "conservative" districts elected in the Democratic waves of 2006 and 2008 in which the Republicans were "out of touch" with their constituents. The centrist policies of the Blue Dogs seems to be giving Nancy Pelosi and President Obama major headaches. It is no secret that Pelosi had to arm twist Republican votes to pass cap and trade. As for health care, the Democrats for now have woken up and realized that the proposed legislation by Waxman and the rest of the progressive caucus, would fail by an overwhelming vote...

I'm impressed with the Blue Dog's policy of fiscal conservatism and for the most part social conservatism. I like that they seem to understand the interests of their constituents.. and that what is needed is not an abolishment of entitlement programs, but a reform of the current system. This type of government might serve America good for certainly far-right and far-left government has proven to be ineffective.

In my last two weeks here, I will be keeping a close on the Blue Dogs. Ultimately they may have a bigger share of power than anyone ever imagined headed into the 111th Congress.