Friday, January 5, 2007

Future of Democratic Party hinges on keeping promises


Democrats taking the legislative reins in Washington should constantly remind themselves of the price for breaking promises. George W. Bush's abandoned 2000 campaign promises and the betrayal of the public trust by the Republican-controlled Congress led to public repudiation of both and loss of political power.

Yesterday's changing of Congress' guard from Republican to Democrats opens the door to historic change in the way business is done in the Capitol. If they remain true to their agenda of change, Democrats could end the unseemly influence of a handful of corrupt lobbyists; ethical breaches by congressmen will lead to exposure and punishment; special earmarked appropriations for congressional districts will be subjected to rigorous public disclosures and examination; the president's agencies and departments and their appointed heads will be subjected to more budget scrutiny, policy oversight and congressional discipline for ignoring laws.

To tackle this ambitious agenda, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has proposed radical change in congressional work habits: a five-day work week will be "de rigueur" for members, not lackadaisically short work weeks of the recent past.

And why not? Most American families now either put in far longer work weeks than 48 hours or have two working heads of household to make ends meet.

These demanding, wholly laudable goals will not be easily achieved. Having rejected bipartisanship when they controlled the House and the Senate, Republicans can be expected to impede if not derail some Democratic programs. And a few longtime Democrats who've enjoyed the pampering and perks by fawning lobbyists might also resist giving up the old ways, such as regal travel on corporate jets at the snap of a finger.

It's not an overstatement to suggest that restoring United States government to honesty, ethics, financial prudence, statesmanship in foreign affairs, global respect among nations and probity in politics is at stake with the new Democratic control. Even the executive powers of the president can be tempered and redirected by resolute congressional action on budgets, confirmation or rejection of political appointees, ratification of treaties, and exposing constitutional abuses through investigative committees.

Democrats also must end the waffling on the war in Iraq, and find ways of ending what has become the nation's costliest foreign adventure in lives and treasure and clearly will not end in President Bush's "victory."

Sheer misconduct of the president, of course, can be handled by impeachment, notwithstanding Speaker Pelosi's assertion that is not on the Democratic agenda.

The clock is now running on the two years Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Harry Reid have to impress the nation that Democrats have the doggedness to bring true reform to Washington, not merely spewing slogans to win elections.




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