The political party that wins control of the white house is often punished by voters in subsequent elections. Although winning the presidency is the ultimate prize for the battling parties, Politico recently revealed just how big the white house price tag can be. As of this year, Obama has already cost the democratic party more seats than any two-term president since WWII. "Seats" include: Governors, Senate, House, State leg. seats and State leg. chambers controlled.

With a country as large and developed as the United States, it is unfortunate that more Americans don't recognize the fact that any presidential policy is unlikely to show its effects until potentially years after it is implemented. The radical swings that sometimes occur in the midterm often seem like a sign of uninformed impatience than a genuine desire to see the other party in power.