A vote for McCain is a vote for moderation

Craig Merutka Albemarle County
Published: October 23, 2008

When our system of checks and balances work, we have a tremendous government. When the Congress decides, however, for whatever reason, to give the chief executive a bye and allow him to do whatever he pleases, things sometimes go awry.

Congress typically does this when the majority party in Congress also occupies the White House. The result is an unchecked move to the right or to the left. Either way, it is a move away from the center — the very place where most Americans fall on the political spectrum. When the same political party controls Congress and the presidency, our government is woefully out of balance. Many Americans are then disregarded, and the government becomes unresponsive to the needs of the silent majority in the middle.

We are faced with this very premise on Nov. 4. Assuming, as most folks do, that the Democrats retain control over both Houses of Congress, who then would keep a President Obama from going too far to the left? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi?

Who would keep a President Obama in check, making sure he makes decisions based upon moderation? Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid? Who will make sure he considers those of us in the center? Democratic Congressman Barney Frank?

There is absolutely nothing in Obama’s record that indicates he would do this of his own volition, so we must assume he is like most politicians and will not compromise unless absolutely necessary. With a Congress controlled by Democrats, compromise will of course not be necessary.

A government controlled by one political party is not in America’s best interest. The government works best when we have a president of one party with a Congress of another — each forcing the other to moderation.

A Congress controlled by Democrats will do nothing to move a President Obama to the center, while it would force a President McCain to stay there. After all, is that not where we want our government — in the center, compromising in order to get things done?

The decision on Nov. 4 is how can we get there. The answer: President McCain and a Congress run by Democrats.