Friday, March 29, 2024

Smooth move

Jeffords decision beneficial for both parties, politics in general

The departure of Vermont Sen. James Jeffords from the Republican Party last Thursday was an accreditation to the American legislative system. Jeffords felt so strongly that both he and his constituents were being ignored by the GOP that he chose to take action in a form that would be noticed.

Jeffords announced Thursday in Burlington, Vt., that he is leaving the Republican Party to become an independent. This is the first time in history that a party change has altered the delegation of power in the Senate.

His withdrawal will give majority control of the Senate to the Democratic Party, while the GOP still controls the House.

Jeffords was not as disappointed with the Republican Party as much as he was with the ultra-conservative Bush administration. He doesn’t toe the administration’s line on issues like the environment, energy policies and abortion.

The decision of Jeffords to leave is being applauded by Democrats. It is doubtful his departure comes as a surprise to those he represents, considering his views are in such great conflict with those of the president and the current GOP.

Although he will not become an independent until early June, Democrats are already anticipating the changes to be brought about by his decision. The swing of power now puts a check in place to control President Bush’s conservative policies, which many Democrats, as well as moderate Republicans, are opposed to.

The change will also put a hold on the 427 administrative appointments yet to be made by Bush and approved by the Senate. Bush will have to begin courting Democrats in order to get many of his policies through the Senate.

Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, the change is good for the American public. As the GOP relinquishes its grasp on the Senate, the opportunity arises for senators and the people they represent to voice their opinion about the Bush administration. The Democratic Party will now have control over the Senate’s agenda for the first time in six years, giving it a chance to move beyond a conservative-dominated agenda to one that represents a larger voter constituency.

This is not to say the Democrats can merely dismiss Bush’s plans or that they should. A government in gridlock is little better than one that pursues only the policies of the wealthy.

The two parties will be forced to compromise on most important issues, especially the administration’s energy policy, which relies almost totally on improving supply rather than conservation and the promotion of environmentally friendly alternatives.

Whether the defection of Jeffords will bring about improved policies in the Senate or merely detain the Bush administration’s attempts to fill its own pockets will not be known until Democrats take control. What is known is that his decision caused needed waves throughout a lackadaisical government.

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