Fatpie
04-11-2004, 00:08
The US Presidential electoral system is a good working system. Checks and balances operate when the Pres and Congress/House are different parties, but of course there are times like now when the three are controlled by the same party. Oh noes the sky is falling! No it isn't. Here's why.
With a President who wins his first term, if you're a member of Congress or the House in his party you'll support most everything he puts to you for ratification. Why? Because if he does a good job, you can be assured of coasting in on his coattails come the next election, and maybe even a promotion, ultimately a shot at one of the big jobs.
Come the President's second term, you're going to be looking to the NEXT election, not his because he won't have one, yours. If he or she comes up with some whack scheme that could lose you votes in your constituency, are you going to take the voter unpopularity on the chin to support your Prez? No way, career comes first, so those schemes should get watered down so they don't lose me votes.
Checks & balances + career politicians = doubleplus good.
With a President who wins his first term, if you're a member of Congress or the House in his party you'll support most everything he puts to you for ratification. Why? Because if he does a good job, you can be assured of coasting in on his coattails come the next election, and maybe even a promotion, ultimately a shot at one of the big jobs.
Come the President's second term, you're going to be looking to the NEXT election, not his because he won't have one, yours. If he or she comes up with some whack scheme that could lose you votes in your constituency, are you going to take the voter unpopularity on the chin to support your Prez? No way, career comes first, so those schemes should get watered down so they don't lose me votes.
Checks & balances + career politicians = doubleplus good.