The Times...They are a'changing

Alas, the Bush Administration and the far right Republican machine will now be held accountable for its egregiously offensive actions. Democrats are taking seats everywhere in the House, and are two seats away from firmly controlling the Senate. While Vice President Cheney says "regardless of the outcome, this administration will proceed full steam ahead" I think the American people have said something different. Some general comments on this election...

Republican leadership is downplaying these results, claiming that changes like these always happen in the mid-term elections of a President's second term. That is actually not true, at least not to the same degree or magnitude seen this year. Some bipartisan perspective for this generation - Ronald Reagan lost 5 House seats and 3 Senate seats during his second term. President Clinton actually gained seats during his second term. George W. Bush has lost at least 27 seats in the House, and depending on outcomes, stands to lose 5 or 6 in the Senate. That's because Bush is the most unpopular President since Nixon, and so longstanding and respected Republican Senators are now unemployed - and that should speak volumes to Vice President Cheney and President Bush about their policies.

The Iraq War is not the only issue that drove voter decisions. Many cited the economy, healthcare, social security, and corruption as considerably important. In general terms, this means that people are not enjoying the supposedly "good" economy at home; they value a strong healthcare system that helps people get and stay healthy and do so affordably; they don't want social security privatized; and they are sick of Republican hypocrisy and corruption.

Democrats must recognize this, and seize this opportunity to make valuable changes - not spend time and taxpayers' money to launch needless investigations and clog the wheels of progress. Yes, this was a referendum on Bush/Cheney and their irresponsible policies - but it was also a directive to Democrats to go to Washington an effect real change, not perpetuate more of the same.

Arizona rejected a measure that would ban gay marriage. This is important in recognizing that not everybody is concerned with micro-managing people's individual choices. And it should be a message to the Christian right that their bullying is not working.

South Dakota rejected a measure that would take away a woman's right to choose. Again, important on the national stage for similar reasons around personal choice and religious fanaticism.

Missouri accepted a measure to permit stem-cell research. Not because Michael J Fox went on TV and "exaggerated the symptoms of his Parkinsons " (Rush Limbaugh's words) but because the people of Missouri recognize the important progress that stem cell research could make in the overall health and safety of American lives. Cancer, Alzheimers' and other wicked diseases ruin lives everyday and are nonpartisan problems - if there's a cure in our reach, why not explore its possibilities (and don't think opposition is about human life - it's about drug company profits) But I digress, that's another blog.

In sum, I think this election will get us back on track towards where we should be as a global leader. The world has already taken this as a rejection of the Bush agenda (which most of them rejected in 2003) and I think that maybe we, as a country, are earning credibility again. I can only hope, and encourage, Democrats to take full advantage of this shift and make measureable progress.

I have faith that they recognize this opportunuty and will make the best of it. Of course, I'll continue to share my thoughts, and expand on certain issues, as time goes on. I know you are all on the edge of your seats...