Republicans had the House and Senate in 2000 and George W Bush (the “compassionate conservative”) in the White House... they had their opportunity to do all the things they had been promising the base for years. And W’s first major act was to invite Ted Kennedy over to help him draft No Child Left Behind!
Both parties are all about expanding and protecting their power - nothing more, nothing less!
Both parties are self serving, without a doubt.
But what is scary is the shift in the “everyman” in this country.
George W Bush protected nothing. In 20-20 hindsight he was not very intelligent. He destroyed the economy by starting a totally unnecessary war. And he gave us Obama. Just like Carter gave us Reagan. When I voted for him, twice, I expected better performance from him. He disappointed me.