Thoughts on politics...
I'm not thrilled, obviously, with the results of this election. One of the two people in the Senate that I've genuinely looked up to as something of a personal hero is no longer going to be there. The house has flipped. The Senate will be deadlocked.
Still, some good things have come out of this night. Most importantly, it looks like California, Illinois, and New York will all have Democratic governors. This matters, more than a little. Those three states combined control a large share of the country's GDP, and can have a major impact on policy nationwide. Granted, Paladino was a fairly pitiful candidate, but the other two races were tight, and Democratic wins in both states will actually mean something for many people.
The ranks of the blue dog democrats in congress will be vastly diminished. That's a good thing. Blue dogs, while useful for padding party numbers, were utterly unreliable on key issues, and, particularly in the Senate, seriously hindered the party - nominally having 60 votes, with a crucial 6 or so in the hands of people who are basically republicans who aren't creepy on social issues is not a good situation to be in - it isn't the kind of no-nonsense majority that can actually get things done, but it *seems* to be a large majority, and thus leads people to expect results. In retrospect, I'm convinced that the rahmist centrist candidates being elected in 2006/8 should be viewed as a Pyrrhic victory for the Democrats, a victory whose price has now been paid.
We'll see what the republicans manage to put forward in the area of actual legislation now, and I'll be hoping that the Democrats are strong-willed enough to stand up to them. I really do think, also, that if I'm still in this area in two years, I *will* run for county board as an independent. I want nothing to do with the Democratic party in Illinois, but if we're don't all try, actively, to play a role in making government work better for everyone, then we're all responsible for any failures of government. I've been attentive, and at least somewhat involved, but I can do more, and I will do more.
I just wish... for a platonic ideal of the two parties - a Republican party that *actually* stands for personal freedom, small government, and limited foreign involvement, and a Democratic party that *actually* stands for a modest social safety net, the protection of ordinary Americans from wealthy and powerful interests, and a progressive and tolerant social agenda... and I'd like *both* parties to *actually* support increased prosperity for all Americans, honesty, transparency, and accountability, and the rule of law. I'd also like a magical unicorn to appear, whinny three times and then turn into a massage therapist to give me a relaxing backrub after a very long day. Sadly, I think the odds on the unicorn look slightly better.
Still, some good things have come out of this night. Most importantly, it looks like California, Illinois, and New York will all have Democratic governors. This matters, more than a little. Those three states combined control a large share of the country's GDP, and can have a major impact on policy nationwide. Granted, Paladino was a fairly pitiful candidate, but the other two races were tight, and Democratic wins in both states will actually mean something for many people.
The ranks of the blue dog democrats in congress will be vastly diminished. That's a good thing. Blue dogs, while useful for padding party numbers, were utterly unreliable on key issues, and, particularly in the Senate, seriously hindered the party - nominally having 60 votes, with a crucial 6 or so in the hands of people who are basically republicans who aren't creepy on social issues is not a good situation to be in - it isn't the kind of no-nonsense majority that can actually get things done, but it *seems* to be a large majority, and thus leads people to expect results. In retrospect, I'm convinced that the rahmist centrist candidates being elected in 2006/8 should be viewed as a Pyrrhic victory for the Democrats, a victory whose price has now been paid.
We'll see what the republicans manage to put forward in the area of actual legislation now, and I'll be hoping that the Democrats are strong-willed enough to stand up to them. I really do think, also, that if I'm still in this area in two years, I *will* run for county board as an independent. I want nothing to do with the Democratic party in Illinois, but if we're don't all try, actively, to play a role in making government work better for everyone, then we're all responsible for any failures of government. I've been attentive, and at least somewhat involved, but I can do more, and I will do more.
I just wish... for a platonic ideal of the two parties - a Republican party that *actually* stands for personal freedom, small government, and limited foreign involvement, and a Democratic party that *actually* stands for a modest social safety net, the protection of ordinary Americans from wealthy and powerful interests, and a progressive and tolerant social agenda... and I'd like *both* parties to *actually* support increased prosperity for all Americans, honesty, transparency, and accountability, and the rule of law. I'd also like a magical unicorn to appear, whinny three times and then turn into a massage therapist to give me a relaxing backrub after a very long day. Sadly, I think the odds on the unicorn look slightly better.