On the Side| Brad Hicks
I hear lots of banter in my job. I like listening to what people say, though it’s difficult not to burst into laughter at times.
A family member recently went on a rant about how the Republicans had messed up this and that over history. I listened, and when the youngster had completed his go-round, I told him to look at the historical record. Republicans, at the time, didn’t have any power.
Democrats pretty much had things their own way during most of the post-World War II era. Of the 72 years since the elections in 1944, Democrats have controlled the U.S. House of Representatives for 50. Of those same 72 years, Democrats controlled the Senate for 49 – remember Arlen Specter’s defection from the Republican Party when the split was 50-50?
Republicans have fared better in the past quarter century than they did previously. The GOP gained an advantage in the House of Representatives in 1995 for the first time since 1954. They held that advantage through 2006. Anti-presidential sentiment against George W. Bush in the 2006 election led to Democrats regaining control and holding it through 2010. That’s when anti-presidential sentiment and anti-Obamacare movements led to the GOP regaining control through the current day.
Ronald Reagan’s sweeping victory in 1980 ushered in a GOP-led Senate for the first time since 1954 as well. It held the Senate until 1986, when anti-presidential sentiment with Reagain aided Democrats’ return to a majority. The Senate went back to the GOP in 1995, back to the Democrats in 2001, back to the GOP in 2003, back to the Democrats in 2007, and back to the GOP in 2015.
Anyone who sits around and casts aspersions at one party for the way things are today just doesn’t look at the facts. These parties have split power in recent years, and, each has held the presidency for 36 of the last 72 years. Most recently, it’s Obama for eight, Bush for eight, Clinton for eight, Bush for four, Reagan for eight, and Carter for four. In 40 years, that’s 20 years apiece.
When I look at this year’s prime presidential candidates, I see a) someone who has made it a point to pursue power and wealth through government contacts, and who has abused that power at times; and b) someone who has made it a point to pursue power and wealth through private contracts, and who has taken advantage of others through a superior financial position at times. I trust neither with a bucket of truth – both prove on a daily basis they are incapable of carrying one.
Those who have sold their souls to a party should realize two truths. 1) Rich people run both these parties to their own gain. 2) Partisan leaders spend a lot of time drumming up things about which we spend our time arguing while they snicker and clandestinely stick their hands further into others’ pockets.
When you vote this fall, be smart enough to realize when you meet the new boss, he or she will be much the same as the old boss – way more interested in himself or herself than you, though some pacifying soliloquy might be uttered in contrast. To think otherwise is silly soul selling and mindless parroting of a party line.
Brad Hicks is the Editor/Publisher of the Red Oak Express. Contact him at publisher@redoakexpress.com.