Here is something I received today, a daily commentary from a local talk show host, Ralph Bristol. I thought you might find it interesting. I did.

I hope that the President and Congress, together, can work towards a more united country and that their efforts will promote a stronger economy. But I will not blame them entirely for what happens to my family and me, personally. We are all accountable in my opinion.

Logan


Republicans have no time to celebrate the nearly unprecedented victory with which voters entrusted them Tuesday, nor do they have the luxury of being timid. After a short breather to thank their families for their patience, they need to roll up their sleeves and get to work fulfilling their mandate.



Four years ago, Americans decided to take a chance and put Republicans in charge. Their leader, President Bush, promised to cut taxes, reform Social Security and hold the line on spending.



Granted, he had a few obstacles. He inherited an economy that was coming to the end of a major boom cycle and entering a recession. Less than a year into his presidency, he also had to answer 9/11, a declaration of war by radical Islamic terrorists. But the recession is behind us, thanks in part to the one promise the Republicans did keep - to cut taxes, and even though the war continues, life has returned to as normal as it's going to get.



Now, voters have reinforced and amplified the decision they made four years ago - to reform and downsize government with an unprecedented GOP majority. President Bush is the first President to win a majority of the popular vote since 1988. He got more votes than any other President in history. Voters fired the leader of Senate Democrats and gave Republicans at least three more members of the Senate. They also increased the GOP majority in the House.



An abundantly clear majority of Americans want what Republicans campaigned on. We want Social Security and other entitlement reform. We want tax reform, not just selective tax cuts designed to manipulate our personal financial decisions. We want smaller, less intrusive, and less expensive government. We want a Supreme Court that knows the difference between the role of judges and legislators, and respects the rights of states and the people to make moral judgments about such things as marriage and abortion.



There is no political obstacle to a "full steam ahead" reform agenda. President Bush will never face another election, so he doesn't have to be timid for political reasons. Some of the newest members of the GOP majority in the Senate (Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint for example) fought off relentless attacks against tax and Social Security reform ideas to win convincing victories.



There are only two things that can stop this uniquely Republican government from fulfilling its unambiguous marching orders. One would be that they don't actually want to do the things they said they want to do. If that's the case, there should be hell to pay when they seek reelection. The other is the Senate rule that requires 60 votes to break a threatened filibuster. The Republican leadership need not let that rule stop them. The majority can either change the rules or punish the obstructionists. The majority should let it be known that all reform bills and judicial nominees will get a fair hearing and a vote, or those who stop it will take nothing home to their constituents except a horse's head (symbolically speaking of course).



I am pleased that voters across the country decided to give Republicans another chance and a larger majority to govern for the next four years. But I am not in the mood to celebrate. I'm in the mood to hold some Republican feet to the fire.



Now, take five and then get to work.