Satan, here are my comments:
“First of all, I see Dubya pushing his “tax cuts” through. It will be heralded a victory for the people by Dubya, though time will show that hardly anyone notices a difference.” This is possible, but only time will tell.
“Well, some people do notice that the economy takes a dramatic turn. See, the defecit that was run up with Voodoo Economics will get run right up again, and this will naturally make things tough in these parts.” This is pure speculation on your part. I’ve heard some accountants and other people knowledgeable about economics speculate that the economy is going to turn down within a year or two for reasons that have nothing to do with who occupies the White House. Also, Congress has a great deal to do with the federal budget – deficits of the Reagan years will be possible only if the Congressional GOP and Bush both decide they want deficit spending. I think the GOP will continue to push for a balanced budget. As for times getting tougher, did you think this boom was going to last forever?
“I see a ton of battles with the religious right who use their new found access to the white house as a way to get a lot of states to start looking at having science class teach that God made the world in 6,000 years, and that those commandments at the door should be proof of this.” I frankly think that the smarter Republicans are going to do everything they can to urge their compatriots of the Religious Right to silence. Even if Bush does win the election, the GOP will not have the political capital to win too many controversial fights. I suspect the cooler heads among the Republicans are going to urge their party to concentrate on those issues, primarily economic and defense, on which the Congressional Republicans are solidly together. Face the facts, the GOP couldn’t get things like constitutional amendments to ban burning of the flag and protect open prayer in schoool when they had somewhat greater majorities in Congress. What makes you think they can accomplish that much when they barely control the Senate and have a majority of only single digits in the House? While this may come as a surprise to a New Yorker and the urban members of the Straight Dope, the people urging creationism and the posting of the 10 Commandents are not necessarily Republicans. In my own state of Indiana, some of the people responsible for posting the 10 Commandents on government buildings – and the court battles this state has coming up – are Democrats. As examples, I cite Gov. Frank O’Bannon, Speaker of the House John Gregg, State Rep. Jerry Denbo and Linton Mayor Jimmie K. Wright. Good Democrats, one and all. I also know several Demorats who are staunch creationists. I suspect that if you look at other states, especially in the South and Midwest, you will find the same
phenomena.
“I envision a major battle about abortion taking place in this country.” Ain’t gonna happen anytime soon. The Republicans do not have the political capital to do anything about abortion before the 2002 election. They will be able to do something about it after that election only if they can achieve much greater majorities in the Congress, and I frankly doubt that that is possible. The more rabid members of the Religious Right may make some noises, but I think the majority of Republicans, especially the GOP women, will be content if Roe vs. Wade is left in place. As for appointments to the Supreme Court, again this is pure speculation since history and many other Dopers have pointed out that SC justics do not necessarily vote the way Presidents thought they would. Earl Warren and David Souter are two good examples.
“I think that Dubya’s voucher program will go the way of Hillary’s health care plan: A lot of hype over flawed ideas that never get anywhere.” This is possible.
“In spite of this, schools don’t get any better.” Are you trying to say that schools will not improve under a voucher system, or are you trying to say that schools will not improve, no matter what?
“If a lot of negative things happen in only two years, some of this may be averted, but only if the Democrats will back a lot of seats and gain controlm over the House and/or Senate.” David B said it best in another thread; there will not be much happening over the next two years. If Bush is elected, the Republicans will have a president who knows he trailed in the popular vote, control of Congress by the thinnest of margins (and Congress may end up in a 50-50 tie depending upon that Washington Senate race) and control of the House by single digits. The GOP cannot accomplish anything, Satan, unless they compromise with Democrats or maintain rigid party unity. If only a few Republicans side with the Dems in either house, a GOP proposal will go down to defeat.
“At the end of the four years, Dubya will, having been shown for the sham he is, get greeted with chants of “four more months” just like his father was and get voted out of office.” Bush may very well be voted out of office, but why do you call him a sham? Have you ever tried to govern a state? Got news for you, pal, it’s not nearly as easy as surfing the Web.
Don’t blame me, I voted for Browne.
