Election day is finally upon us, bringing to an end the ugliest political season I can remember.

I've decided how I'm going to vote: a straight ticket for divided government.

That means Democrats in federal races, but Republicans for several of the state offices (including Governor Pawlenty).

There's only one rational conclusion I think you can draw from the political events of the past four years: the government functions best when there are real and credible checks and balances in place, and one important check is that no one political party controls all the instruments of power.

That's because debate and opposition is good for the country.

Compromise is good for the country.

Political competition is good for the country.

Fresh air and sunlight is good for the country.

Deliberation on important issues is good for the country.

Respect for process, rules, and institutional traditions is good for the country.

But when the political process gets too one-sided, all these things become secondary to political expediency, corruption, greed, and power.

When we get to the point (probably within the next decade) when the Democrats control all the branches of the federal government, I expect to cast my votes, once again, for divided government. Even if, by that point, they haven't succumbed to the inner rot which seems to be infecting today's Republican party structure.