Can Our Democracy Respond?

Congressional Incompetence
Is The Issue

I was surprised that Dayton’s newspaper, The Dayton Daily News (DDN), on its editorial page endorsed the incumbent senator, Republican Mike DeWine, for reelection. The DDN at one time was considered a Democratic paper, I wonder what happened that the paper would endorse DeWine? Anyway, I decided to write a letter to the editor in response. The newspaper’s instructions is that letters should try to be 200 words or less. That is a tough restriction. I rewrote this several times -- and couldn’t seem to find a way to 200 -- what follows is 258. I hope that is short enough.


A whopping 69% of all voters disapprove of the work of congress, according to the average of eight independent polls taken over the last month, as reported in the Washington Post.

The huge disapproval of congress, I feel, is based upon a wide perception that, under unwavering Republican control, congress has acted ineptly. The recent DDN endorsement of Sen. Mike DeWine for reelection, it seems to me, fails to deal with this fact.

Because DeWine has sided with the Bush majority in every major vote, DeWine must answer for overall congressional incompetence. Among other fiascos, his votes and actions have empowered: 1) The ballooning of the national debt -- from $5.5 trillion in 2000 to more than $8.5 trillion now. 2) The neglecting of congressional oversight of the Iraq war.

DeWine has voted almost 100% of the time with the Republican majority on any issue of importance. The DDN endorsement says, “(DeWine) needs to go beyond casting an occasional dissent.” Yes, but doesn’t that sound like wishful thinking? The DDN endorsement also says, “(DeWine) needs to help find a new course for his party.” Again, doesn’t that sound like wishful thinking?

The issue this election must focus on is whether our democracy can effectively express its disapproval of congressional incompetence. To return members to congress, based on wishful thinking, regardless of the mess they have made, would be a big mistake. DeWine has had his chance. My vote for US Senate will be for the Democrat, Sherrod Brown.

Michael Bock
Kettering