Manx

Which do you want and how do we go about getting it?

I see a number of people congratulating the Republican party and/or giving honor to them. And I see words of grand intentions and desires to unite this country.

But grand intentions are not how campaigns are won. If we have learned anything in the past year it is that America is in a new age of deception when it comes to public policy. It is a war where all is fair and anything will be attempted - with the assurance that it will be accepted by your side. All the back-slapping, congratulatory, ingratiating words will not change the fact that we have a President who is not only in a position to walk his agenda through Congress, but also has essentially half the electorate completely disillusioned with him.

If you want compromise, cooperation and cohesion in our society - the first step is to pressure the President to actually work with the Democrats in Congress. He has not shown a desire or inclination to do that since pre-911 and he has just received a few extra seats to dissuade him from beginning now.

It is in the Republican's court to bring this country back together - they have the power.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done in the next 2 years. The Republicans in power will take their victory and use it to their fullest capability. Because with politicians, it is not about compromise for the benefit of society, not when each party believes they know best. There will be no recognition that half the electorate wishes for change - particularly in this election, where the President has received more of the vote than he did in 2000.

So all the sweet talk of working together and uniting the country is just empty words. No doubt nice to hear and nice to think about. But as the Republican agenda is walked through Congress, remember that the guy standing next to you wanted something else but his opinion no longer counts for anything.