The Problem of Middle Ground

Lately it seems that politics is dominated by a "not enough" syndrome. If you partly do something, it's not enough, or too late, or weak. Issues are picked at. Problems are indicated. And at the end, no one is happy. When did progress become so complicated?

Recently, I posted my thoughts on the deployment of troops in Afghanistan (which I still object to, but understand). It has been fascinating to me that lately, no one is pleased AT ALL! A recent CNN poll (http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/04/rel18b.pdf) suggests that there is general support for the war. Inside the numbers, the opinion of moral justification to the war today (63%) is growing closer to that of 2003 (73%) after treading in the 40%'s for so long.

Yet, seemingly nobody in congress (recall, the people that we elect) are happy. Republicans are upset about a timetable, and Democrats are upset about the surge and not keeping the campaign promise (as a note: his campaign promise was actually about Iraq). It has long been considered by both parties that Afghanistan (not Iraq) was the real threat. But now, the whole thing stinks to everybody. Funny...

It seems that the objection by Democrats is more focused to contested re-election and seeing more images of war and (seemingly) neglected campaign promises to bring troops home. Meanwhile, Republicans understand that it is their job to not approve of anything Mr. Obama does (playing to the extremity Conservative base, that is growing everyday). At the end, there is no real solution to the schism that is growing in Washington. And more and more, representatives are growing more biased to play to re-elections and likely voters, not necessarily the true percentages.

It begs the question: if America agrees with the president, then why doesn't Congress?