Yesterday's election results show that voters want change from their congressional leaders. And they have signaled that they are not looking for just partisan change, but real, demonstrable results.

Democrats have parlayed deep national distress over the Iraq war into a political majority in the House of Representatives, and more control over the lawmaking agenda.

Still, Democrats would be wise to realize that their political capital is a perishable commodity, and that the election results are not a mandate for radical changes in domestic policy.

For starters, faced with a staggering national debt, America has little real capital to spend. Democrats may be able to initiate more legislation, but a Republican in the White House means gridlock is the likely fate of more extreme initiatives.

And it's important to realize that the new Democratic caucus is more conservative than in the past. Voters may have cast a vote against the war and single-party rule, but philosophically they remain closer to the center of the political spectrum. President Bush must also do some bipartisan coalition building to deliver on the promises he made to the American people, namely on domestic issues overshadowed by the war.

The new majority should concentrate on finding ways and the funding to support stability in Iraq. Democrats also should come up with innovative ideas for immigration policy, energy development and healthcare concerns.

The new majority has an opportunity to deliver solutions to very real problems facing this nation. History has shown how easily opportunity can be squandered.

Republicans made their own mistakes in the 12 years since they launched the "Contract with America," a pledge eroded by partisanship and corruption. Perhaps the fact that the White House and both houses of Congress were controlled by one party provided an environment ripe for abuse of power.

When there is now a healthy balance of power, the most productive strategy is compromise. The lessons of history seem pretty clear. Let's hope the people we've elected have learned them well.