Stalemate in Congress might not be bad for economy

By PAUL WISEMAN


AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Republicans' sweeping gains in Tuesday's elections hardly guarantee they can enact their own prescriptions for the ailing economy.
Despite their capture of the House and near-takeover of the Senate, Republicans will still lack the votes to ram through their agenda of new tax and spending cuts and looser regulation. Democrats, with their own economic ideas, will likely fight them to a draw.
Yet it may not matter. On its own, the economy is showing slow but steady improvement. Consumers and businesses are spending a bit more. Some companies are hiring. And most economists expect those gains to continue.
For both Democrats and Republicans, the inability to do much for the next two years may not be such a bad policy for the economy.
http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=13436562