Gridlock Need Not Be Inevitable

WASHINGTON - When voters put a president from one party up against a Congress controlled by the other, the result isn't always gridlock.

From Interstate highways and environmental protection to Social Security fixes and welfare reform, playing nice on policy can pay dividends, recent history shows.

Fresh opportunities abound if, as predicted, Democrats win control of the House - and somewhat less likely the Senate - next week, but success will require both sides to suppress bitterness and payback urges.

Accomplishments over the next two years will require trust and good will, and not much of that exists in the toxic atmosphere of the midterm election after …