The Politics of Gasoline Prices

I've seen several journalist tout how gasoline will hurt Republicans in elections this fall. This is just a small post to tell you that isn't going to happen.

Here's why

• The general election is in the fall when gas prices are declining.
• Investigations into the practices of the oil industry have been viewed as bipartisian.
• The general view is that both parties are culpible for the perceived inaction taken against the oil industry.

Can Democrats Take back the House?

I've been reading many articles by hopeful Democratic pollsters that think their party can take control of Congress in 2006. They site the myriad of issues that have pounded the Republican party over the last year. Abramoff, Katrina, Iraq, and domestic spying have made Republicans weak in the upcoming elections.

History has shown that when the party in power is shown to be as weak as the Republicans are now, the minority party devours the majority power. Many journalists and pollsters are quick to make this claim.

The comparison is pretty much worthless. In those days there were more people who would today be considered swing voters. But most importantly, both parties were closer in terms of strength and identity.

Today's Democratic party is in the midst of an identity crisis. For them to take full advantage of the Republican weakness they need to be a strong party with a platform that resonates with voters.

Some may ask what is my evidence that the Democrats aren't going to surge over Republican territories? According to polls there are not massive amounts of Republican incumbents battling their Democratic rivals.

Republican incumbents are actually in more danger from their primary opponents than Democrats. The weakness of the GOP is only manifesting itself in its ability to challenge Democrat incumbents.

When all's said and done the ebb and flow of party wins and losses will result in a stalemate where Republicans retain the majority.

Romney's Insurance Plan

Mitt Romney has proposed an ''individual mandate" for Massachusetts residents to obtain health insurance. So far there have been hardly any positive responses to the proposal by voters.

The intent of the bill is to lower the amount his state pays on health care cost. But it will have a negative economic impact on the economy as it will require its residents to pay more than the state saves with the bill.

But there is another cost with this proposal. Mitt Romney is considered a Presidential hopeful for 2008. His proposal has had national exposure and is unpopular with many Republican and Democrat voters alike. He could loss the White House with this bill.

Compromise Found on Immigration Reform

I can't yet comment on whether the apparent deal brokered between Congress and the Senate covers all the issues surrounding attempts at immigration reform. The final details are not yet available. But here is what has been announced at this point as far as the illegal immigration issue.

• Those with less than two consecutive years in the U.S. would be required to return home without assurances they would be able to return.


• Illegal immigrants between two years and five years have to return to their home country briefly, and then re-enter as temporary workers before applying for citizenship.


• Those with five or more years of residency would not be required to return home.

This is a vital issue for Republicans. Its conservative base wants more done to curb illegal immigration while its latino base, which is quickly growing, fears that they are being discriminated against.

Cynthia McKinney Vulnerable in the Primary

Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney's altercation with a Capital police officer will probably cost her. Whether charges are brought against the Georgia congresswoman have not been decided her public image has taken a hit.

Last Wednesday McKinney reportedly hit a security officer at a security checkpoint at the entrance to a House office building when confronted about going around a metal detector.


After the incident McKinney has stated in interviews that the security workers should be able to recognize every House member by face.

For those who have never been to Washington, a security officer sees several thousand people per day on top of the 535 members of Congress. To make additional demands on these servants is impractical. McKinney comes off as self-serving and ignorant of the responsibilities of the security personnel for making such a demand.

In a CNN interview on Monday McKinney stated that the incident was the result of "racial profiling" and was "instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female black congresswoman."

This didn't have anything to do with race. Capital police wouldn't be doing their job if they allowed an unidentified person into the building who bypassed security measures. In 1998 there was a shooting that took the life of two of their coworkers in an incident that started out in the same manner as McKinney's (story).


McKinney lost her seat in Congress the last time she made controversial comments in an election year. She didn't take her seat back by defeating the person who first beat her. She got the position as her successor tried to get a Senate seat.

Denise Majette defeated McKinney in 2002 but vacated the seat in an unsuccessful bid for the Senate in 2004. She is currently listed as a candidate for Georgia's State Superintendent of Schools. This new controversy may cause her to change gears and reclaim her seat from McKinney.

I just have one word of advice for Congresswoman McKinney. As a member of Congress you are a servant of the people. A servant of the people should be neither seen nor heard. Their very existance should only be recognized through the good works in which they had their hand.

I'm Back

Sorry for the lapse in posts. I've been on vacation.