In praise of dissent...

When you are the majority party, it is easy to be annoyed with the opposition. "You lost!" the majority wants to scream, "Get over it and get on the right side!" It happened in 2000 with George W Bush and the Republicans. It is happening now with Barack Obama and the Democrats. It will probably happen again the next time we have a president and congress of the same party.

But it is good to remember that the phrase "loyal opposition" comes from a place of honor. It is a GOOD thing to have people around any endeavor who can keep the victor honest, and adjust the more extreme tendencies of those in power. This commentary from CNN reminds us that "pests" can be among the most useful people in a Democracy. Because they force those in power to look honestly at themselves, and see if perhaps the "Emperor has no clothes."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/19/rollins.pest/index.html