New Direction or more of the same?

Election Day was Tuesday and the Democratic party made substantial gains. The Democratic party gained 28 seats in the House of Representatives, which gave the Democrats their first majority since 1994. Also the Democrats had six governorships switch to their party and that gave the Democrats the majority of governorships for the first time in 12 years.

There is no way to debate this. Tuesday was clearly a referendum on President Bush. The overwhelming majority of Americans demonstrated their dissatisfaction with the leadership in Washington and his presidency.

I have to wonder which direction the Democrats will go. For the last six years the Republicans in Washington have treated them with such disdain that I wonder if Democrats won't strike back a little. For a supposed "Uniter not a Divider" the leadership under Bush was the most partisan that I have had the chance to observe in my lifetime.

I hope the Democrats do not give in to this temptation. The criticism of the Democratic party is that it is directionless and leadership is lacking. They are now partially in the driver's seat. As a result they should take the opportunity to show that they have a plan for Iraq, that they can control the reckless spending that has gone on for the last six years, and that they can have policies that are both environmentally and socially responsible. They have a chance to show that they can lead this country out of some of the messes created in the past few years.

It is time to turn their cheeks to the partisan behavior of their opponents and show this country that they can and will do things better. If not, then expect another landslide in the next election and not in the Democrats' favor.