Quote Originally Posted by GoldenBoy812
Unchecked power, regardless of which side of the political spectrum they represent, is a recipe for disaster. Now massive spending bills will be enacted at a faster rate, requiring either higher taxes or ulterior spending cuts, just to keep the debt from rising (that is of course Obama wins, and he sticks to his "pay as you go" platform).

Since the majority of spending is appropriated on social preservation (medicare, education etc...), tax increases look to be enacted to halt debt. This, barring a new technological innovation like the internet had on the 90's Clinton administration, will have a negative effect on the economy.
I agree that controlling both houses and the presidency tends to lead to excess. This is why I say the Democrats will have to put up or shut up. We've seen what happens with unchecked Republican power --- they threw their principles out the window. They said they were for fiscal responsibility --- they ballooned the debt. They said they were for limited government --- they increaseed the size of government and expanded its reach. They said they represented military competence --- they bungled a war.

If the Democrats find themselves in control of the presidency and the congress, they will have to prove they can do better, or they will face the backlash that Republicans are facing now. However, Republicans are so discredited now, if the Democrats do pull the country out of this mess, and they do succeed with their agenda, they might hold power for the next 50 years.