The Results Are In
(11-24-2002)

Earlier this month the people of the United States voted in state and federal elections, selecting representatives and deciding ballot questions. In one vote of particular interest to me, the people of Tennessee voted 58% to 42% to allow a state lottery. A majority of the voters wanted us to be like the states around us by gambling for education funding. Theoretically, we could still stop the lottery in the legislature, but I'm afraid that is unlikely. I'm sorry we lost this one.

Republicans gained control of the both houses of the Congress of the United States. The balance of power is still close, and many of the individual races were close. Many analysts postulate from this that the country is evenly divided between "D"s and "R"s. I postulate that in many races, the candidates are basically the same, so the votes go to the candidate with the best campaign or to the candidate disliked least. In Tennessee, the people elected a Democratic Governor 51% to 48%, and they elected a Republican U.S. Senator 55% to 44%, with independent candidates pulling in a few votes in both cases. How does that happen?

Regardless of why people vote the way they do, the Republicans now have two years to do basically whatever they want. They can't blame a Democratic Congress for obstructing their agenda. They can't blame a Democratic President for vetoing their agenda. Having political power allows a party to put into practice the things they believe. What do Republicans believe? Will they impeach the liberal justices they complain about and appoint strict constructionists? Will they end federal involvement in education and other government boondoggles? Will they bring American troops home and protect American interests here? Will they eliminate oppressive government agencies? Will they further reduce taxes? Will they implement the plank in their platform that says unborn children have a fundamental right to life?

Can they not do all of this in two years? They can at least get started. They are phasing in tax cuts over ten years. Why can't they start phasing in major changes to the structure of the federal government? If not now, when? If not them, who?

I confess that I am not optimistic about a sudden passion for limited government seizing President Bush and the Republican Congress. If they do not take advantage of this opportunity to do good, however, they will prove that their rhetoric about protecting life, liberty, property, and constitutional republican government is vain babbling.

Let's keep praying for our country and for our servants in public office. Let's keep working diligently as good citizens. The results are in for this year, but tomorrow is another day, and the Lord is still in charge.