Voices of Mexico no. 38

Our Voice

President Clinton was reelected Last November 5, and the Democratic Party recovered its ability to occupy the Oval Office for two straight terms. On the other hand the Republicans were able to retain control of both houses of Congress. Obviously, the next four years will bring either the U.S. founding fathers' dream or their worst nightmare: If President Clinton is able to negotiate properly with Congress, and Congress, in turn, acts responsibly, the checks and balances of the system may finction in all their splendor with both branches of government monitoring each other's activities. If President Clinton is notan able negotiator, if Congress is dominated by the most conservative wing of the Republican Party or if Clinton cannot unifi Democratic congressional votes, then there may be a gridlock like the one in late 1995. Nevertheless, experience has shown that the supposedly great conservative rontract With America» revolution lost its momentum precisely when it took such a hard line on the budget negotiations, paralyzing decision mak- ing. For the American people, the Republican-dominated Congress carne out the toser, not President Clinton.