For the first time ever in modern times, the country faces the unusual situation of a Democratic Senate and a Republican House of Representatives!
From 1911-1913, 1931-1933, and 1981-1987, we saw a split Congress, but with a Democratic House of Representatives and a Republican Senate!
So the 112th Congress in 2011-2012 will be extremely unusual, with “the people’s branch” being under the control of the GOP, and the Senate in the hands of the Democrats!
What will this mean, as far as progress in dealing with the problems faced by this country internally, as well as overseas?
Unfortunately , the likelihood is total stalemate and gridlock, which is bound to make things worse, rather than better!
So has the anger and frustration of the voters led to creation of the possibility of appropriate dedication to the “people’s business”? The answer is clearly NO! 
The Republican House will try to derail the entire Obama agenda and accomplishments of the past two years, with the Democratic Senate blocking any such repeal, and if by some reason, some Democrats join a united Republican party against the President’s policies, the result will be that President Obama will utilize the veto. If that happens, the Republicans will be unable to override the veto by a two thirds vote!
So again, what have the voters done in their wisdom? They have created a government which is LESS LIKELY to accomplish ANYTHING, and will leave the voters more frustrated and angry in 2012, than they are in 2010!
And who will they blame? The Republican House, the Democratic Senate, or the Democratic President? It should be an interesting scenario, leading to more chaos and anarchy!
So was it smart for the American people to react to difficult times by anger and temper tantrums? NO, and they have almost certainly guaranteed absolutely no improvement in the unemployment rate, in creation of jobs, in the foreclosure crisis on home mortgages, in dealing with the myriad of other domestic problems this country faces!
Should people make important decisions when they are angry and frustrated? Anyone who is rational knows the answer is clearly NO!
Professor, Well stated. You hit the nail on the head. The question I have been asking myself all day is….do the American people realize just what they have done? In their impatience and their gullibility to the misinformation rhetoric of the right they have set in motion a costly 2 years…and possibly many more. Many complained of government waste and being too big. How about a government still too big and wasting millions of our tax dollars in total gridlock? The right has made it chrystal clear they have no intention of compromising on any issue with our President and the Dems. Their stated main goal is to destroy his presidency. They will not allow anything to pass which might mean political capital for Pres. Obama. This means no jobs, no help for hurting Americans, no progress in the economy. A few Repubs have even threatened to issue subpoena after subpoena (spending $$$) in hopes of impeaching him. They have stated they will repeal “Obamacare”, cut every program they can (translated=any program that helps the middle class and the poor). Do Americans realize that the Chamber of Commerce (who ownes the Repub Party) is putting together their Christmas List of “paybacks”? These “paybacks” are not for the benefit of middle America. Again I ask..do those who voted the republican/Tparty in know what they have done?