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The word '''gridlock''' literally refers to an extreme state of urban traffic congestion in which all available road space, including intersections, is occupied with stalled traffic, creating a hopelessly interlocked traffic jam. William Safire wrote in 1980 that

The word '''gridlock''' literally refers to an extreme state of urban traffic congestion in which all available road space, including intersections, is occupied with stalled traffic, creating a hopelessly interlocked traffic jam. William Safire wrote in 1980 that

:Washington credits the word to New York... According to Samuel I. Schwartz, assistant commissioner of the city's Department of Transporation, he first heard the term used around the office in 1971.... "...then, in 1980, we put it in the transit-strike contingency plan, and all of a sudden it was all over the papers."<ref>Safire, William (1980) On Language: Gridlocks and Givebacks, ''The New York Times,'' April 27, 1980, p. SM5</ref>.

:Washington credits the word to New York... According to Samuel I. Schwartz, assistant commissioner of the city's Department of Transportation, he first heard the term used around the office in 1971.... "...then, in 1980, we put it in the transit-strike contingency plan, and all of a sudden it was all over the papers."<ref>Safire, William (1980) On Language: Gridlocks and Givebacks, ''The New York Times,'' April 27, 1980, p. SM5</ref>.

By analogy, it can be used to describe other situation in which several parties have managed to simultaneously and mutually obstruct each other.

By analogy, it can be used to describe other situation in which several parties have managed to simultaneously and mutually obstruct each other.

When the Amercan government is in the state of a [[Divided government]], congress can enter the state referrred to infomally as '''Gridlock'''.  Gridlock occurs when in which each party blocks the other party's spending initiatives, resulting in fiscal conservatism.   

When the American government is in the state of a [[Divided government]], congress can enter the state referred to informally as '''Gridlock'''.  Gridlock occurs when in which each party blocks the other party's spending initiatives, resulting in fiscal conservatism.   

Many comentators suggest that gridlock and a divided government may be the best state for the United States, since each party then serves as a watchdog on the other.  Statistics show that the economy grows at a higher rate during divided government than with either party in control of both branches of government.  The effect of gridlock on the [[Republican]] administration of [[George W. Bush]] may have as beneficial effect on government as the gridlock of a Republican [[Congress]] on the [[Democrat]] administration of [[William J. Clinton]].

Many commentators suggest that gridlock and a divided government may be the best state for the United States, since each party then serves as a watchdog on the other.  Statistics show that the economy grows at a higher rate during divided government than with either party in control of both branches of government.  The effect of gridlock on the [[Republican]] administration of [[George W. Bush]] may have as beneficial effect on government as the gridlock of a Republican [[Congress]] on the [[Democratic]] administration of [[William J. Clinton]].

==Notes and references==

==Notes and references==

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