It's been 12 years since the "Republican Revolution".........how has the U-S fared since? Better, worse, same?

Question

With Newt Gingrich and his "Contract with America", many voters gravitated towards the GOP, giving them both houses of Congress for the first time in 40 years. Now the Democrats may take it back in this coming round of elections, if polls re: Iraq, Foley Scandal, and homeland security are any indicators.........

Answer 1

It would be difficult to identify anything which would indicate that the U.S. as a whole is better off than it was 12 years ago. Consider the following:

1. We are in a war in Iraq from which there appears to be no exit strategy, and in which we are experiencing increasing casualties, while spending huge sums of money, mush of which has been completely wasted.
2. While initially successful in our war with the Taliban and Al Queda in Afghanistan, conditions there are rapidly deteriorating.
3. Our borders, our ports, and our transportation systems continue as "soft targets," with little to show for Homeland Security efforts but the inconveniencing of millions air travelers with security efforts filled with gigantic holes.
4. FEMA has demonstrated its total incompetence in dealing with either natural or terrorist-caused emergencies.
5. Recent legislation has removed some of the basic constitutional protections, specifically that of the Habeas Corpus protection.
6. Our national debt is at an all-time high.
7. We have a President who at best is simply a fool, and at worst may well be suffering symptoms of brain damage, or early Alzheimer's (pre senile dementia).
8. We are overwhelmed, in many ways, by the influx of illegal immigrants.
9. Our educational product, is one of increasing actual or functional illiteracy

I could go on with much more, but perhaps worst of all is that there is little I can find to say representing an improvement in the quality of life for most Americans.

Answer 2

It has been a long downhill slide. Just remember, no matter how competent and well meaning republican party representatives are, when the captain of the ship has a one track mind and will not steer away from the iceberg (War in Iraq, gas price gouging, etc) no matter what the costs, simply because he is the decider, . . . . well you figure the rest out for yourself.

Estimated collision of the USS Bush (Republican party as crew) and the iceberg is:

Tuesday, November the 7th, 2006.

It is sad to say that all the fine officers and crew are going down with the captain and ship, and perhaps if Captain Bush had been relieved of his command while there was still time, the entire crew (Republican party) would not have been forced to go down with him.

Just remember, after the 7th, when you elected republicans are in the unemployment lines looking for jobs, don't blame anyone but the one to blame. I don't think I need to leave any hints, but for those of you who are a little slow, his initials are George Bush.

He made the bed, now all you loyal followers are going to have to sleep in it, cause he is the decider.

Darryl S.

Answer 3

Wow another good question. I answered a similar one, and don't feel like typing the same thing lol.
Dems will most likely take back at least the house. Repubs did that to themselves. The problem in this nation is that more Americans are conservative than not. The repubs failed to stop the increase in and centralization of the federal government. They have leaned into socialism(thus the neocon was born). Right wing socialism is no more excusable than left.
The republican party has failed us conservatives. I believe it can be saved but don't see how at the moment. That's what's sad. The democrats offer nothing as a viable alternative, and it doesn't affect them adversly at all.
How has the US fared since? In my humble opinion, I think we are better off the more Republicans are calling the shots, but the difference is negligable.

Answer 4

Speaking of Foley,...Isnt it funny that it was O K fthe dems to get away with it TWICE,but nothing was to be said because they were DEMS. It may be hard to believe but WERE not really doing that bad in IRAQ. The CURDS have sent us a video saying THANK YOU AMERICA, but the democraticaly controlled media wont play it because it makes the DEMS lookbad ,like the MISLEADING people that they are.The only thing you see on the news is IEDS,ROADSIDE BOMBS,and DEATHS OF OUR GUYS,they never show or tell you of the 25% of the Govt in IRAQ is WOMEN,Girls are now allowed in school now,All the infrastructure,[roads,sewer,power plants,vaccinations of children,92% I think was the last account I heard,running water,and many other things WE take for granted.] HOMELAND SECURITY.....WE HAVENT BEEN ATTACKED IN 5 YAERS,and its not because they havent tried.If people dont like the way the country is going now,and vote democrat,They will be the first ones crying about how bad it is then also.People have gotten so L A Z Y that they dont even try to get the real F A C T S they believe what they're being spoonfed now.77% of news about democrats was favorable,while 88% of news about republicans was unfavorable in the media.....Id call that bias, UNEMPLOYEEMENT down to lowest level in 40 years,HOUSING MARKET,highest its been in 40 years,6 million jobs created since 2003,UNHEARD OF!!!!!.The STOCK MARKETset 15 records in 22 days.....People need to wake up,QUIT CRYING over falacies that have been told to YOU that YOU believed because YOU were to lazy to exert a little effort to find out the TRUTH,[not you per say]

Answer 5

I think the country is better off but not much. The revolution fissled. Once the Republicans gained power they became Democrats, more concerned with maintaining their power than implementing the agenda of a smaller less expensive government. They decided big government was OK as long as they were running it.

I think the Revolution ended when Clinton backed them down over the government shut down. After that the revolution was over. Now we're stuck with Republicans that will take any position to stay in office versus Democrats that will say anything to get back in office. Neither of them stand for anything, they will choose political expediency over principal every time.

Answer 6

Much better.

Much of the "great Bill Clinton economy" was due to Republican factors, not only to the Republican Congress, but Clinton was still reaping economic benefits from Reagan's presidency.

If Democrats do win next Tuesday, the war on terror will go all the way back to ground zero (pun intended) and they will keep working to transform America into Soviet Union west.

The terrorists clearly want Democrats to win, hence the escalation in attacks on American troops in October and November.

As for me, I want America to remain strong and to win the war on terror. I'm voting Republican.

-Aztec276

Answer 7

Sadly, it took the likes of Bush to get us swinging back, which I do hope we do this Tuesday. I'd settle for middle anytime, over complete right, or even complete left.

Peace.

Answer 8

Our economy is up, employment is up, we're ridding the world of terrorists.

Answer 9

A great direction.

Answer 10

worse