When I run or swim I find that I must focus on the activity if I am pushing myself to my limits. When I run on the treadmill at the club, there is a TV dead ahead of me. I can watch the TV and read the subtitles, or I can listen to a radio tuned to the TV for the audio. But, when I push myself I find that I can't really listen to the TV or read the subtitles any more. This is because it takes focus to keep going.
The Republican Party had this focus back in 1994 when they had the objective to take over the House of Representatives. They created their contract on America and they used that message Universally across the country. The radio talk show hosts used the contract to stay on message. And, by staying on message they made it nearly impossible for the Democrats to make any point at all. Democrats had multiple reasons for why the contract on America was bad for America, but your average voter couldn't remember them, because they had never latched onto any particular message.
The Republican Party learned from their success and they resolved to stay on message to continue their success. As a result, the Republicans have followed the lead of the leaders of their Party no matter what their personal feelings about these ideas were. The members of congress would take their direction from the leaders of the Republican Party. A sign of this cohesion is the fact that President Bush has never vetoed a bill in his entire 5 years in office. In a truly representative democracy some members within a political party are bound to disagree on one issue or another because Republicans from different areas of the country are bound to disagree with Republicans from other areas of the country. However, by keeping focus on the power of the Republican Party and not the needs of the American people Republicans have been able to maintain control of the US government.
But, like my experience at the club I could place my focus on my running, or I could place my focus on the TV. For the good of my body I choose to focus on my running. Since the objective of running the government is to lead the American people in a way that benefits the American people the government should focus on the American people. When a political party takes control of government and focuses on the needs of the political party at the expense of the whole country the country suffers. This would be like concentrating on my needs for entertainment and not working out to the best of my ability. Sure, I would get some benefits, but I would not be doing my best. Similarly, when the Republicans act in congress with the needs of the Republican Party in mind they might get some positive results for some of the American people. They might cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans and those Americans benefit. But, doing this we neglect the needs of the least of our brothers and sisters.
Focus is obviously the key. If government is ever going to work for the people, then we need to focus on the needs of all Americans. Americans need to realize that America works best when Americans work together.
Cross Posted @ Bring It On, tblog, Blogger and BlogSpirit