Quote:
Originally Posted by Silverback51
I remember when elections were held. People were elected and went to serve the people that elected them. Both parties worked together for the good of the people and the country.
What happened?.  |
I can't take credit for this answer to your question. It came from a talking head, but it made some sense to me. His answer is that for much of the 20th Century, the Democratic Party controlled Congress and Republicans held little hope of getting a majority. During that time (i.e., I remember when), Republicans routinely worked with the Democratic majority because it was the only way they could bring any bacon home to their constituents. But, in the latter parts of the century, growing Republican strength convinced them that they had a chance to take the the majority. With members of both parties convinced that they could win the majority, their actions became much more partisan as they strove to accentuate their philosophical differences before each election. It appears the strident partisan actions of people from both parties arise from their beliefs that it is the best way to get re-elected and take the majority in the next election. As the vast majority of politicians are more about getting elected than serving, it is likely to stay this way until something tragic moves their attention to something other than the next election.