61820    The Speaker has vowed to obtain a clearer outlook of the implementation of this proposal by April 13, which marks the one-hundredth day since the Congress has convened.

61821    Such conflict between the administration and the congress should not be viewed as a stormy beginning for American politics or political turmoil.

61822    It should be viewed as proof of the dynamism of American politics.

61823    The tense relationship between the executive branch of the government and Congress is generating the energy for politics and reform.

61824    And the system that closely reflects public opinion on politics is sustaining this energy.

61825    Further, this energy has been fueling the spirit that makes American politics always tackle reform issues as well as unafraid of changes to adapt to the wishes of the people.

61826    It has certainly been pointed out that there is a down side to American politics: it is very much influenced by public opinion polls and popularity.

61827    This is due to the fact that politicians tend to put priority on vote-catching policies.

61828    After the Democratic defeat in the mid-term elections last year, President Clinton hastily announced a tax cut measure for the middle-class at the end of the year.

61829    As this changes Mr. Clintons' policy where reduction of the fiscal deficit had been the pillar, it is a decision that could only be seen as a popularity-seeking tactic.

61830    In the US, the "power sharing" where Democrats and Republicans share the leadership in the administration and the Congress has been the tradition of the postwar politics.

61831    When a Republican president was in office, the Democratic Party had the majority in Congress.

61832    It was also Americans' expression of their sense of balance in politics.

61833    President Clinton was elected to take office under the banner of "change."

61834    The US economy has recovered during the past two years and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been running smoothly.