If you at all pay attention to the news, you've heard today's election referred to by pundits on both sides of the aisle as "the most important election in American history". Having been a voter now for 11 or 12 of these days, I'm not sure I ever remember "the most important" moniker applied so broadly before. One party is seeking to ratify the actions of the first 22 months of President Obama's presidency while the other side wants to repudiate those actions. Based on polling data going into today it seems like those opposed to the president and his policies have the upper hand, but the end result will likely be gridlock in DC.

 

Gridlock may be the best thing that can happen, but for all of the wrong reasons. If we end up in a gridlocked situation, we should see a drastic reduction in the pace of new legislation and any legislation that passes will have to meet the requirements of both parties. Both parties see that as an acceptable middle ground - not as good as controlling both houses, but better than the alternative of controlling neither. Unfortunately it feels like we are approaching a crisis point where what the country really needs is leadership in a direction towards fiscal responsibility - and management by the consensus of gridlock likely won't get us there. 

 

I truly don't think either of the two existing parties are going to take us where we need to be. So, I'm rooting for gridlock until a smart, centrist leader appears who can build a party and present a real alternative to the two dinosaurs. Kind of feels weird to be rooting for a tie, but that's where I am.