Two Americas, One Congress: Why the Next Election Won’t Bring Unity

In the past, this space has been filled with musings about our country being in a period where there are two Americas, distinct and in many ways separate from each other. There is no factual or statistical basis to argue that there is a silent, sleeping giant of centrist voters waiting to be activated, much less any credible political structure to advance the cause, even if it were true. You can detest reality. That does not change it from being reality.

Election Day and the Political Reality Facing Republicans

It would appear from all sensible sets of data points that Republicans will have a most unpleasant experience on Election Day. This is not a reflection of any sort of personal preference, merely straightforward political analysis. There are very few political adults who believe the House is still in play. You can make a case for holding onto the Senate, even if it means Pennsylvania Senator Fetterman voting with Republicans on the matter of organizing the Senate. Still yet, the odds are daunting at this point.

For this column, the discussion is centered on Democrats gaining control of both houses of Congress and what that portends for the country. There are two central problems to the idea of “both parties working together to find common sense solutions to the problems confronting the country.” The first would be this requires the winner to behave in a fashion that reasonable adults (versus strictly strong partisans) believe is fair and reasonable. The second is the likely winners show zero indication of wanting to work with the losers.

Okay, maybe not zero hope for some cooperation, but clearly the Democratic base is in the mood for blood. Doubt what I am arguing? One recent poll found 66 percent of Republican midterm voters wanted Congress to find common ground. On the other hand, 65 percent of Democratic midterm voters want Congress to oppose Trump and his proposals. Note: the proposals have not even been made yet.

Two Parties, Two Very Different Sets of Values

Now, let’s take a quick spin over to the concept of two nations and what it means to the policy agenda for the next two years, should Democrats assume control of both the House and Senate.

There is a new Gallup poll that asks “which values the country needs most today.” Twelve are listed. Among Republicans, “patriotism” was number one. For Democrats, it was dead last and by a lot. For Democrats, “equality” was number one. Republicans listed it 11th of 12.

How stark a difference could exist? Even if common ground were the goal, the starting point for the two sides is as close to diametrically opposed as possible when it comes to what is prioritized and gets scant attention. This is not about who is right or wrong. My Republican allegiance is strong and unchanged. As in the past, this is cold-hearted political analysis.

The Democratic Agenda and the Limits of Compromise

While the legacy corporate media has evaded practicing journalism on the topic, the reality is indeed that the Democratic Party is being shoved further towards a rigid, progressive, very often socialist, agenda. Worse from my vantage point, their policy prescriptions for what they seek to receive attention continue to move, with a velocity, to the extreme left. Again, this is factual reality. We can argue about what is good or bad, what should be done, or a thousand other things, but none of it changes those facts.

From here, the recommendation is for Republicans to understand, much as has been the case when we controlled things, the Democratic base is not pining for half loaves. They expect their agenda to be passed, even assuming a Presidential veto. In fact, vetoes could have the impact of additionally emboldening Democrats to conclude the only thing they lack to get the job done is to put a President into place.

What Democratic Control Could Mean for Washington

You can bet anything Congress can do on its own to advance that Democratic agenda will already be in place. If the Democrats win the Senate, the filibuster will be dead before the New Year. Add the Presidency, and Puerto Rico plus Washington, D.C. will become states. The Supreme Court will be packed to support a progressive agenda with the Constitution being merely ancient guidance, where actual words count for little. This is just for starters.

Once more, this may be what America wants, what you want. That is not the point. The point is that all of this is going to be what happens, and it goes back to three things we have already highlighted. First, there are two distinct Americas, largely living in parallel universes. Second, there is no data to support the concept of there being a giant number of middle-of-the-road voters awaiting to be awakened, much less a political structure to accommodate this illusory group. Third, the attempt to find common ground would be a futile exercise at this point, and there is very little indication the likely winners have much interest in finding common ground. Every single time in the past, whichever side wins control of both chambers of Congress becomes captive to its activist base, which translates to zero political incentive for the winner to compromise.

A Divided Country With Little Prospect for Unity

Neither side should believe itself entitled to argue that failure to go along with what they seek is “divisive” in and of itself. That said, get prepared to have the corporate legacy media portray Republicans in that light when Democratic initiatives are resisted. This is not a complaint. It is accurately observing actual behavior for many years and confirmed by every single content analysis ever performed.

Our country is not in a healthy position. There is nothing to indicate the upcoming election will change that circumstance. It is ugly now, but the likelihood is it will get uglier in the future. Yuk.