Now that the 2006 elections are history, let us calmly reflect on the impact. The Dems goals are obvious: to gain the presidency in 2008. I believe (and hope) they are smart enough to to realize that the "gotcha" path leads nowhere. We have many issues that need to be corrected in order to regain our pre-eminent status as the worlds leader. Turning oversight into witch hunts will lead to defeat. Some issues that are vitally important (in random order) 1) Health care 2) Border and port security 3) Tax reform 4) Education. HEALTH CARE We need to get market driven health care. The utopian scenario would be to get employers out of the health care business. Let us purchase health insurance like we now purchase auto and home owners insurance. My wife is not on my plan, only myself. Yet as a 57 year old male, I have to be covered for maternity benefits. I am therefore forced to subsidize maternity benefits for those in my company that may choose to raise a family. Also, we need to question the wisdom of having several expensive diagnostic tests for simple problems. Do i really need a chest xray for a broken leg? Now for the sad truth. We all will die. A huge amount of money is spent in the last years of our lives trying in vain to cheat The Grim reaper. The cost of health care is so high because, like so much else, we want it all, regardless of our ability to pay.

Disclaimer:  I am a registered Democrat.  This is more out of disgust with the party of "Tricky Dicky" than any liberal leanings.  I hold a grudge.

Blaming the Dems for the creeping intrusion of government into our lives is like blaming Limbaugh, Hannity and Boortz for existence of talk radio.  Their welfare Nanny State policies are actually market driven. 

The populace has grown fat and lazy.  the more government does, the less we have to do.  Just like when we were kids and Mommy and Daddy took care of us.  All it cost us was having to obey the parental rules.  Only now, we have to obey the government rules.  Like the Golden Rule.  He who has the gold, rules.

By failing to acknowledge that the flip side of rights is responsibilities, we have asked for a maternal  government to do for us what we won't do for ourselves.

The real blame is on our own shoulders.  We need to realize that freedom is well worth the effort it takes to hold on to it.

The Dems are only giving us what we have asked for in the marketplace of values.