Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

Opinion

Dems gain chance to foster change

Isaiah Warner 
Opinion Columnist

Students of UH political science professor John Sloan recite information about the 1932 and 1980 elections in their sleep. Those elections not only changed the residents of the White House, they changed the country.

Former presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were able to legislate beyond their fondest dreams because the Hoover and Carter administrations hammered the last nails into the coffin of their parties. 

President Bush has two more years to preside over a withering Republican Party that is up against the ropes. In 2008, the Democrats can throw the knockout punch that will usher in the next great era of American political reform.

Although Democrats won a majority in both houses this electoral cycle, the gains made in 2006 should pale in comparison to the power shift that will occur in 2008. 

Since 21 of the 33 Senate seats up for election in two years are in Republican hands, Democrats will have a golden opportunity to expand their majority in the Senate. Also, if soon-to-be Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi plays her cards right, Democrats will have a substantial majority in the House. Most importantly, the presidential election will present a historic chance to have a unified federal government.

Legislators will have the opportunity to create and pass legislation that would parallel the New Deal. 

Lawmakers should have an Apollo-like project to revamp the nation's energy infrastructure at the top of their priority list and should seek to eliminate the nation's dependence on foreign sources of energy within 10 years. Several senators, such as likely presidential candidates Sen. Evan Bayh and Sen. Barack Obama, have referred to the idea of issuing a "Declaration of Energy Independence." This common-sense idea needs no spin to resonate with the American people. 

Even though gas prices are relatively low, the nation still desires a president and Congress that will do more than say an addiction to oil exists. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil will be a victory in the war on terror in addition to cleaning up the environment and stimulating the economy with countless new jobs.

Such an opportunity only comes along a few times in a lifetime. 

Roosevelt and Reagan were the last presidents to enter office in the aftermath of an electoral earthquake. 

If the Democratic Party is successful in taking back the Oval Office, the first 18 months of a unified government could produce change that is unlikely to be seen for decades. The window is open for a government that will focus on the common good. 

The time has come for a new Contract with America.

Warner, president of the UH Young Democrats, 
can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu