The Irony of Democracy

Obviously, democracy is the preferable form of government. But a government that is answerable to the populace is not without consequence to the functionality of those elected officials. Ironically, the same forces that got Bush his war are the same forces that are now undercutting his war.

In 2002 Bush pushed the war as an immediate need because it was just prior to the 2002 midterm elections. He knew that Congress would be forced to vote for a war resolution or face looking soft on terrorism in the upcoming elections. It is no secret that Bush chose that moment to push the war because the prospect of voting against the war and facing re-election was not fun.

Now, the 2006 mid-terms are fast approaching and the tide of public opinion has turned. It is no longer politically expedient for Congressmen to support Bush's request for unhindered deference. The same political force of re-election that got Bush what he wanted in 2002 is now calling for a definable limit to the war.

I guess if you live by the sword, you die by the sword.