Wednesday, February 4, 2009

History, who was in power during recessions and bad times

The Political Shaman reviewed the last 77 congresses on the House.gov and senate.gov websites as well as a list of presidents to determine power.

The evidence shows that the democrats have enjoyed many more years of power and have resided over the vast majority of bad years, recessions and bad ideas, such as their desire to keep slavery or their attempt to help the French get their colony back in Vietnam. The data shows that putting democrats in full control or complete power is certain to result in a very bad economy if not a bad decade in general. While republicans are not 100% capabale of running things well, history shows the few times they were in power resulted in a good economy more often as well as their being the the right side of ideas, such as affirming women the right to vote.

Though it would seem to ensure a good decade the best option is a mix of power, with no one party in full control of anything.


The highest Power is defined as total control of congress and the executive branch with filibuster proof majorities. This is followed by majorities in congress and having the executuve. This is followed by owning 2 of the 3, either the house and senate, the senate and presidency or the house and presidency.

Decades considered good is subjective but there is a general knowledge about the success or desire for certain decades. Such as the 1990s, the 1950s and the 1920s. While decades like the depression, the 1970s, 1960s and the civil war can be considered bad. A reveiw of the economy, what wars existed at the time, general knowledge and research all contributed to determine a good from a bad decade.

The last 77 congresses would begin in the year 1857 with the 35th congress. This congress was chosen because this is the first congress where the republicans were actually a factor in their quest to end slavery.

The last time Republicans had filibuster proof control was the 66th congress in 1921, which was when the Republicans affirmed women had the right to vote. The democrats have enjoyed well over 20 years of filibuster proof control after 1921.

After 1921, the republicans had 3 congresses with full control, while the Democrats have enjoyed 18 congresses in full control, including the current congress. It is noted that all of the congresses of Democrat control are recessions and decades of strife and crisis.

Of the 77 Congresses reviewed, 31 had recessions. Of those 31 recessions, 25 of them were under Democrat control. This is 74% of all recessions that were entirely in democrat hands or the majority of time in recession was under democrat control.

Of the 15 decades that occured during the 77 congresses, 7 of them are considered bad decades. All 7 were under democrat control for all or the overwhelming majority of time. This would include the Great Depression, The 1960s, The 1970s, The 1940s, The Post WW I recession, WW II and the Civil War era. It is noted that the democrats were in control of the Confederacy in their quest to keep slavery and the economy of both the confederacy they controlled and the Union were affected by democrat actions to keep slavery. Additionally, when democrats obtained some control back duing the post civil war era, their attempts to oppress former slaves also created strife in the country as well as the economy.

Of the 8 decades considered good ones, 2 of them were under Rebublican control, which makes republicans the only party that can claim a history of having good decades under their rule. The other 6 decades were under mixed rule, including the 1990s, where republicans controlled congress.

It is noted as well in the 2000s decade, the two recessions at the beginning and at the end, were when Democrats had control of congress. The middle years between recessions were during a republican controlled government.

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