November 8, 2006 What does it all mean?

The Election is over. Democrats took control of the U.S. House of Representatives and made inroads into the U. S. Senate. [UPDATE: After the final count in two previously undecided races, the Democrats also have a majority (51-49) in the Senate].

A message was sent and it was heard-- by the President, by Republican leaders, and by Republicans everywhere who were listening.

Irap was certainly part of the message.

In response, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld resigned today and will be replaced by former CIA Director Robert Gates.

The other part of the message, in my opinion, lies in a general failure of the Republican Party and many of those who call themselves "Republicans" to stand on principles.

The Republican revolution of 1994 with its well-thought out and clearly expressed ideals of fiscal responsibility and less government slowly went by the wayside during the past 12 years as the power of office became intoxicating.

Some of the leaders of the Republican revolution became less concerned with government service and more concerned with self-service.

Unfortunately, the 1994 Republican Contract With America became little more than meaningless words.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

This is true in all times and of all political groups.

It applies to Republicans, Democrats, Socialists, Communists, Tories, Laborites, whatever. This is not a slam on Republicans. It is simply a statement of fact about anyone or any party having absolute power, and it applies to the politics of all countries.

The best thing that can happen now is that the wake-up call will result in self-examination and serious reflection on the part of the political parties in America. Hopefully, true statesmen will come forward to replace the politicians---of which we have far too many.

I heard a friend today describe the difference between politicians and statesmen.

The politician is always thinking of the next election. The statesman is always thinking of the next generation.