AN NJN EDITORIAL —
So the 2012 elections are over at last, and what do we have?
A populace that is as sharply divided as any time in the history of the Union, perhaps since the Civil War.
Exit polls show that “identity voting” was rampant. Various groups voted heavily one way or the other. For Barack Obama: urban voters, single women, African-Americans and Hispanics; for Mitt Romney: whites (especially males), Southerners, rural voters and evangelicals. And those sides are more entrenched than ever, and even more distrustful of the opposition.
So it is no wonder why the popular vote was decided by a bit more than 2 percent, with the so-called swing states determining the outcome, and the outcome on most of them being equally close, or even closer.
And when all is said and done, we’re right back where we were before the election. Obama is headed back to the White House, the Democrats still have the majority in the Senate, and the Republicans still control the House of Representatives.
In other words, it’s a recipe for continued gridlock in Washington, at just the time when it is least needed.
For the next couple of weeks, there will be the predictable cries for bipartisanship. But when it comes time to act, overconfident Democrats and angry Republicans will dig in their heels once again. We’ve seen it happen too many times to expect otherwise.
Frankly, it would have been better if one side or the other won outright. The nation’s economy is still hurting, and the infamous “fiscal cliff” is looming large. If one party were in control for a time, at least we might get something done. Which party would do the better job? Well, we’ll leave that opinion to you. But for now, we’ll face two or four years of the same old thing.
Perhaps someone in Washington will come forward who can actually make the opposing sides come together.
If that person appears, we might just nominate him or her for sainthood.
Opinion
Our Views: A hopelessly divided nation
- Opinion
-
-
Danielle Carter: Don’t walk away when times get tough
In a world where nothing seems to last, it’s refreshing to hear of people who persevere and press through hard times to reach their goals.
-
Our Views: How far we've come since Wallace's "stand"
A half-century ago Tuesday, a defiant Gov. George Wallace faced down a federalized Alabama National Guard and the tide of time, as he made his famous — or infamous — stand in the schoolhouse door.
-
Danielle Cater: Dads have responsibility to sow into kids
Father’s Day is here, and many people seem to have mixed feelings about this day.
-
Our Views: Boy Scout sponsors face tough decision
For those involved in Scouting, but whose religious beliefs teach against homosexuality, the time has come for them to decide whether to stay on in the program, or look elsewhere.
-
Keep your eyes open for summer fun
If you step outside your box and make an effort, I feel assured that you can find something fun to do with your summertime hours.
-
Danielle Cater: You have to give respect to receive it
Since most sports are coming to a close, it’s probably safe to write a column about “park moms.” That’s right, it’s about time someone said something about the craziness that takes over when a child begins to play park ball.
-
Steve Flowers: Alabama GOP took advantage of super majority
As the third regular legislative session of the quadrennium draws to an end, let us look at the makeup of the new super Republican majority.
-
Our Views: Seizure of Associated Press phone records is an insult to the press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
-
Danielle Cater: Life goals are set during graduation
Many parents are breathing a sigh of relief this week as their teenager finally graduates from high school. It is during the next few months that these kids will be making life-altering decisions.
-
An NJN Editorial: Now we know why we distrust government
If we really needed a reason to prove why the general public typically has great distrust of the federal government, we now have three.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Danielle Carter: Don’t walk away when times get tough
Rihanna Hits Fan With Microphone During UK Concert
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Miami Heat Wins in Overtime
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Fists, chairs fly in restaurant brawl
Journalist Michael Hastings Dies in Fiery Hollywood Crash
Hairy Leg Stockings Aim to Deflect Male Attention
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
