Opinion

Change

Friday, March 14, 2008

Despite all statements to the contrary, Americans are not fed up with politics. None of their protests, lamenting the daily political coverage by the media, holds any convincing evidence. The proof is in the putting so to speak. If the advertisers were not sure viewers were watching these election extravaganzas, they would have long ago left the airways.

It is not just America that is intrigued by the process. Overseas correspondents report that the 2008 United States Election Primaries news coverage's, are hugely popular in other countries as well. It is no accident that this is so. Democracy, especially in America, even with all its faults, is still the greatest show on earth.

There is nothing new to the story, despite all the new words and speeches to the contrary. We hear the word "change," being voiced over and over. Well that is definitely nothing new. "Change" is what American politics is all about.

Our first President, George Washington had no party affiliation. That would not last. Early on, two differing viewpoints led to separate parties being formed. John Adams was the second president and he represented a party known as the Federalists.

Following Adams, Thomas Jefferson, became the first "change" president in our history. His election was in direct repudiation to the "Federalist" style of government. Jefferson was a Democrat Republican.

There would be four successive Presidents from this party spanning a period from 1801 to 1829.

After 28 years, the young country was ready for a change, and along came Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson, and the newly named Democratic Party. Jackson did not just bring change, he ushered in a "Spoils System," that threw out almost all the old government officials.

After two Democratic presidents, a new party known as the Whigs brought another brand of change to the political scene. From 1841 until 1861 there would be four presidents from the Whig Party, and three from the Democratic. Neither party was able to successfully deal with the most pressing problem of the time, slavery.

It was due to the slavery question, that a new "change" party formed in 1861. The new Republican Party was formed and on their first attempt, Abraham Lincoln was elected President.

With the lone exception of Andrew Johnson, who took over for Lincoln after his assassination, the next five Presidents would be Republican. Grover Cleveland broke the Republican hold on the White House in 1885. His brand of change was noteworthy for a couple of things. He was the first bachelor to be elected (later married while in office). He was also the only President to ever serve a term, loose the next election to a Republican, and then win a second term on his third try.

The country changed back to Republican for the next three presidents. It is likely that would have continued if not for the fact that "Teddy" Roosevelt wanted back in office after Taft had taken over. He split the Republican Party and the country "changed" to Woodrow Wilson a Democrat.

After World War I, the country "changed" back to Republican for 3 successive Presidents. Things seemed to be going great when the "Great Depression" forced a change to the Democrat, Franklin Roosevelt. Roosevelt was elected to 3 terms, but died in office.

His Missouri running mate, Harry Truman was able to win one more election before the Republicans once again took over with war hero Dwight Eisenhower.

Two Democrat presidents brought change in the 60s with John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. Once again a war seemed to force a "change" in America's minds.

Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, brought back Republican Administrations for eight years.

It was scandal (Watergate) that foretold the next "change." Jimmy Carter a democrat was elected as a "change" candidate. He was a little known Georgia governor, and his election was attributed to his being an outsider from normal Washington political circles.

Carter's administration was plagued by economic troubles namely, inflation. He also was seen as weak in his handling of the Iran Hostage Crisis, and the next "change" president was a Republican, Ronald Reagan.

Reagan enjoyed general popularity for two terms, and his Vice-President, the first George Bush followed him into office in 1988. Despite winning a war, the country was again in a "change" mood in 1992. They spurned Bush and replaced him with Democrat, Bill Clinton.

Clinton enjoyed the benefits of the "tech" economic boom of the 90s and was elected twice. His Monica Lewinski affair resulted in a failed impeachment attempt during his last term. Despite his continued personal popularity, the scandal is generally considered, the major reason his Vice-President, Al Gore did not win election in 2000.

George Bush, the second, had very high popularity ratings especially after 9/11, but again a drawn out war in Iraq has made the public seem to desire "change" once again.

Most people overseas would never understand how we feel about our elections. They cannot understand, that we as Americans as a general rule like "change" simply and often.

It may or may not happen in this election, but "change" is on the way, on that you can be sure, for one simple reason.

We like it!