Ok silly question for you knowledgeable Political friends

Unfortunately our current party system has it so that the democrats can ram their agenda through, at least in the house. The stimulus bill, which is really a pork bill, was rammed through the house with every republican and eleven democrats opposing it. In the senate there are just enough republicans (41) that if everyone of them opposes a bill, it will be stopped since a 2/3 majority is required. However, they can not block the confirmation of appointees, even if the appointee for Treasury Secretary evaded paying his taxes for years until nominated for this position. Basically this means that the republicans in the house are powerless, and the republicans in the senate, when united, have the power to slow things down, but not much else.

Nothing is ever certain with the passage of legislation but Obama has a good chance of getting his bills passed when they are presented to Congress with the Democratic majoriy in the House and the sentate. it is very good for him indeed. I think it will help him to be an effectieve president.

There are definitely two sides to this. Our government was meant to run on a system of checks and balances with both parties having a say. Unfortunately, in the past this has more often then not led to stalemate where nothing gets done. Obama definitely has a better chance than many presidents of getting his legislature approved and if it's the right legislature, we'll be okay. No doubt the situation will change in the next four years and there will be a more Republican congress so he has to act now. Whether or not Obama stays will depend on his first four years.

Excelent question miss. I see a number of people have responded already and given you sufficiant ifnormation, but I'll toss my $0.02 in anyways. The short answer is, the democratic party pretty much has free run of the place. Even the two independants usualy side woth the democrats because they both caucus with them. Republicans can still fillibuster but it doesn't usualy happen. there are also a few democrats, like Kucinich, who will sometimes side with the republicans on some things. The only thing one can hope is, as you pointed out, that they vote on a bill and not a party line. Unfortunatly, it doesn't usualy happen. preasure from party leaders and members, lobbyists, etc. Being a member of neither of the two big box parties, I am of the mind we need to fire the whole lot. Both parties are destroying this country and neither represent the people anymore or the constitution. But a nation of sheep continualy vote in one of the same two parties over and over again and somehow, with a straight face, manage to call it "change"

I don't pretend to have a good handle on US politics Ainge. But if you want to see what a one party overwhelming majority can do to a country just look at Britain. Of course being able to vote in a majority is what democracy is all about surely. But just to be on the safe side. The should be a war criminal Blair abolished the hereditary upper house and replaced the incumbents with people of his own choosing who were all of his political party. Funny thing politics.

Well, they pretty much can pass everything that doesn't need a 2/3 majority vote in the senate. The Republicans can vote no in the House as they did with the stimulus plan, even 11 democrats did, it still passed without a problem. And yes, sometimes the party whip pretty much seeks to align them all behind a bill that's deemed crucial. They have two years to push through as many bills that fits their agenda. The next election can change the mix dramatically and will show whether the voters have been happy with what our current leadership has decided. My guess is that few bills will be questioned or voted out. Not at least until it's campaign season and voter sentiment has changed.

Your right and it is very partisan now The dems have no desire to work with the Rep because they don't need the votes. They would prefer to have rep vote with them, then when it all falls apart, they can say, well we ALL supported it.

He will get every bill passed, because the whole senate and congress are Democrats. In most cases, the president is one party while the house is made up of part of his party and the other, as well as the senate, thus making only the bills that everyone agrees with getting approved. However now since the senate, congress, and the president are all one party, everything they want will be approved. And America as you know it will no longer exist.

I would also hope each of our leaders would vote for each individual bill on its merits and the heck with what the rest of their party or the other party thinks but it often doesn't work out that way. Right now the Democrats have more power than they have for years and only time will tell if it turns out to be a good thing or not. My personal belief, being fairly liberal, is that it will be better than most of Bush's Presidency when the GOP had all three branches - the White House, both Houses of Congress and the Supreme Court. I think the most important thing is that both sides get their voices heard and in my opinion I think it's up to both parties to prove to the people who hired them - US, the voters - that they're not just playing party games and follow the leader. They should all be prepared to tell their constituents why they voted for or against whatever bill is in question and not just "Because the House Speaker told me to" or "Because Rush said I should". It's fine to share an opinion with someone else but I want to know my Representative and my Senators' personal view on why they voted as they did and why it's in my best interest. Often when on party has a big majority the next election means some "House"cleaning will be done. That's why it's a good thing the House members are all up for election every two years. If the voters are dissatisfied they'll change things in two years! Sometimes they're unhappy that nothing got done and sometimes they're unhappy too much got done! Time will tell how it turns out this time. Annie

Unfortunately, since the democratic party is in charge of the Congress and the Executive branch, almost any legislation they want passed will pass without problem. The Republicans can only sit back and let themselves get steamrolled. I'm not looking forward to the next few years - it's going to be a rough ride.

Aingealicia, What I have to say is somethng that puts me between a rock and a hard place, but the way I look at it is that if you take away the title of all the parties what you are still left with is the ability to make ones own decision on any bill. There will come a bill that not all the democats will agree with just as not all the republicans will agree with. It all comes down to the flip of a coin in politics. At this point in President Obama's administrations because of the last 8 years of republican rule, anything goes as it did with the Bush administration. Like I said, the flip of a coin. DCMerkle

Obama's victory. Is it achievement or miracle? What a phenomenon beginning this year. Nothing else, except Obama's victory be the first president from American black (may I say) Obama has capability, integrity and intelligency good enoug be president.Also he experience in politics. He represent from Democratic party. With his campaign, he succeed confessing voter that he is the one whom poeples choice.Also he get smart when get donation. He get from poeples or other groups which suppoerted him.He use ienternet too to gain donation. He open his website which contain he and his purpose be president. One of way he receive donation from his sites. The donation may $5,$10,$15 and more. So every poeple in the world can donate their money to Obama. Not limited on America country, but from all the world. So that Obama's fund more than McCain.But ... Let leave it for second. Is he succeed to lobying senate and congress ? Because senate and congress closely to McCain. I think that very wonderful. So in my opinion. That is miracle or something special gift to Obama from God.

OBAMA'S VICTORY.Achievement or miracle ? As his victory on American president election 2008. Obama become American president 44th. He is represent from Democrat party. He has good intelligent, capability and skill in politics. Like he did when campaign time. He confessing poeples, that he is the right choice be president. He collect support from many poeple or many major party which sympathy to him. He also use technology to get donation. By internet he makes website, which contain he, profile, mission and vission and other purposes. He receive donation by poeple who want donate their money. Nominal $5,$10,$15 ond more. So his fund not limited by America country but all poeple in the world. This different from his rival, McCain. McCain represent from Republic party. He gain voter by g poeple and get donation by poeple or many major party in America. So he get less fund and less support from Obama. Let leave it a minute. About lobbying who has win it ? Obama or McCain. Lobbying senate or congress closely to McCain. This is most difficult thing.Obama can be question in opinion. So in my opinion, Obama's victory is achievement or a miracle (special prize) from God give to Obama.

well lets see what he will do but hoping the best that he will bring good chears and soon us will be out of recession