The Democrats’ Real Problem By E. J. Dionne Jr.

Bush critics will almost always point first to the administration’s arrogance, a word used recently not by some left-wing Bush hater but by the loyal conservative writer Byron York. In the New Republic, York chose the A-word to explain why Republicans are turning on the White House’s “we-know-best approach.”

The cure for an arrogant government that doesn’t take critics seriously is accountability. Divided government never looked so good. That’s especially true at a moment when polls suggest that a majority is yearning for more competence and greater moderation.

For example, moderates and liberals alike are mystified by budget policies saddling our kids with debt tomorrow to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy today. Moderating this radical fiscal approach is something the voters clearly could accomplish with their ballots this fall. …

Presidents deserve to be punished for insulting our intelligence.

[F]ighting bad policies is actually constructive… [B]etween presidential elections, keeping matters from getting worse is sometimes the most positive alternative on offer.