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Democrats in control: Good or bad?
Story Created:
Nov 5, 2008 at 6:24 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Nov 5, 2008 at 6:54 PM EDT
WESTMORELAND, N.Y. (WKTV) - The New York State Senate, the Assembly, the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and the White House: all now under Democratic control. New York State even has a Democratic governor. Is this single party control a good thing, or bad thing?
For some Republicans, the fear is that the Democratic majority will now advance their social agenda with no checks and balances.
There's also the fear that, with Democrats in control, at least at the state level, lots of pork and special projects money will be funneled to powerful downstate Democrats and their constituents. Oneida County Republican Chair George Joseph thinks we will see evidence soon in the form of new laws that reflect a democratic agenda. Yet one of those democratic state lawmakers, newly re-elected Assemblywoman Roann Destito says there will be thoughtful debate; not the mindless pushing through of an agenda.
"You can be assured within a year there'll be proposals or movements for gay marriage; that's always been the social agenda from downstate; that'll be one of the first litmus tests," said Joseph.
"As far as civil marriage we probably will take a look at it but I can't say anything will be pushed through. I think there will be a thoughtful discussion," Destito said.
Destito also points out that the Democrats now have enormous power but with that comes enormous responsibility.
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