Senate election- What's at stake?

The U.S. Senate, sometimes called the world's most deliberative body, is a powerful institution. Its 100 members hold sway over federal legislation and policy, as well s the appointment of judges and the oversight of government. Because of the Senate's enormous clout, electing senators is a serious matter.

In Tuesday's elections, which political party will control the Senate will be decided. Currently, the Democratic grasp is so tenuous that the appointment of an interim senator from Minnesota could immediately change the political landscape.

For Missourians, the choice is between the incumbent senator, Jean Carnahan, and a former U.S. representative, Jim Talent.

Carnahan has, for the past two years, filled the Senate seat won by her late husband. Jean Carnahan is probably one of the nicest people you would ever meet. She is both thoughtful and gracious. But she was never a politician until circumstances thrust her into that role. As a senator, she has shown herself to be a sure and compliant vote for whatever the Democratic leadership wants. With Republicans in charge of the White House and the House of Representatives, Democrats have demonstrated a willingness to stymie government operations by failing to pass a single measure -- including the budget.

Talent, who is studious and knowledgeable, has a record as a representative in Congress of providing leadership on crucial issues and seeking bipartisan consensus whenever it might serve the best interests of most Americans.

Clearly, Tuesday's Senate races across the country come down to more than a victory for one candidate or another. Decisions made by voters this week will make the difference between real leadership and a party-line vote.

Why is this so important? It is important because so many plans and ideas that need to be acted upon in a responsible way are at stake. Here are just a few of those key issues that voters should keep in mind on Tuesday:

There is important business awaiting Senate action that has been deadlocked because of the existing partisan power struggle. One of these is the appointment of federal judges. Another is a vote on legislation to create a Department of Homeland Security.

Presidential appointments of nominees to serve in federal judicial posts have long been political pawns. It is one area where the Senate can have a stranglehold. These appointments have too often been used to broker deals.

The fact is the federal bench is woefully short of judges. Fewer appointments by the current administration have been taken up by this Senate than those of any other president in recent memory.

Meanwhile, homeland security is, at a time when the war on terrorism needs commitment and resolve, languishing because the Senate leaders refuse to let the issue come to a vote. Once again, a vital need has become the victim of partisan gamesmanship.

Key tax issues are being ignored because of Senate inaction. President Bush's tax cuts, which are due to expire in 2011, need to be made permanent, thus giving individuals and businesses the assurance that plans made today will still be valid in the future. And the death tax still hasn't been repealed, leaving those who have contributed the most to America's economic success to suffer the most at the hands of the IRS.

The future of Social Security remains at risk because of the Senate's refusal to address realistic ideas to benefit millions of Americans. The claim that allowing workers to invest a portion of their hard-earned dollars for themselves would ruin retirement incomes is not supported by the evidence of countries where this very system has been successful.

The whole issue of respect for life is at stake as voters make their choices on Tuesday. That the lives of the unborn and the elderly infirm would ever be subject to political whims is an ugly mark that will not soon be erased. But commonsense leaders can -- and will, if given the opportunity -- take corrective action to preserve the sanctity of future lives.

Finally, there is the need for forceful and decisive action on the Iraqi madman who holds the balance of terrorism on a scale that can hardly be imagined by freedom-loving people. This issue demands unity and the strongest show of support possible as the world watches the resolve of the most powerful nation on the planet.

In his visit Friday to Cape Girardeau, Vice President Cheney alluded to many of the key issues that face the United States and the importance of making the right choices on Election Day. Voters in Tuesday's election must make those choices -- and make them well.