Friday, December 15, 2006

Senate Heading For Deadlock


Even though I watch West Wing I still find american politics hard to follow, and sometimes incomprehensible.

A democrat senator, Tim Johnson, has had to go for major brain surgery (actually not sure if there is such a thing as "minor" brain surgery). This apparently leaves the control of the Senate hanging in the balance. Apparently if a replacement is needed then the replacement is chosen by the Governor of the state. As the Governor in this case, South Dakota, is a republican then the replacement he chooses is also likely to be a Republican even though the people of the state had voted for a democrat.

If TJ has to resign and a Republican is put in his place then the Senate will be split squarely down the middle, 50 seats to each party. That spells years of stalemate and nothing being achieved. The peoples wishes will be ignored in a country that is supposed to be the worlds greatest democracy.

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