A Little Revolution Now and Then

Many Iranians continue to defy authority by taking to the streets to protest the results of their election for President. Some figures in the revolution against the Shah now think that the revolution has been hijacked by autocrats. The state-sponsored slogan is “Death to America,” like it is still the 1970s. Sometimes the crowd chants, “Death to dictators.” As the Who said, “Meet the new boss/ same as the old boss.”

Revolutions do not have to be as bloody as the French under Robespierre or the Russian under Lenin. In mature democracies, voters will often take out their frustrations at the polling place.

Israel often exchanges one party in power for another. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown may be swept out of office by a newly-energized Tory party. Dissatisfaction with the status quo in France led to the election of Nicolas Sarkozy.

With soaring unemployment and tax increases, state voters around the Great Lakes may broom Democrats and replace them with Republicans. When what should be down is up, those who are in power have a way of becoming out. Republicans may pick up seats or seize control of the lower houses in Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio. Republicans might win Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of state in Michigan. The exception among Great Lakes states is Indiana, where Republicans rule and a revolution could favor Democrats. Hoosier Daddy, indeed.

Washington is not immune from revolution. Historically, the party in control of the White House loses seats in Congress in the first election after President. In 2010, Democrats who won Congressional seats in areas that voted for McCain in 2008 face voters for the first time. It will be a referendum on TARP, the stimulus plan, health care reform and record deficits.

They called it the Republican Revolution when Newt Gingrich wrested control of the U.S. House of Representatives from Democrats in 1994. They called it the Reagan Revolution when Dutch toppled Jimmy Carter and Republicans seized control of the U.S. Senate in 1980.

1980 and 1994 seem like ancient history now. There will be another Gingrich and another Ronald Reagan to lead the GOP to another revolution. Maybe it will be John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Mike Huckabee, Mike Pence, Mitt Romney or someone who has not emerged yet.

A new spirit of freedom is sweeping the world and the nation. A little revolution now and then is a good thing.