Do you hear that sound? It's the sound of discontent. Of a People who are mad. AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE! The dust has settled on the 2006 mid-term elections (almost, we are still waiting on the verdict in Virginia) and the outcome is resoundingly in favor of the Democrats. It is a clear indication that we are sick and tired. Sick and tired of lies, missteps, political boondogglery and of course, what individuals feel the most, their empty pockets. George Bush and his cronies have led this nation goosestep by goosestep right into the bowels of the sewer. It is unfortunate that it took 6 years of being hit over the head time after time with our civil liberties being chipped away, our economy steadily decreasing (contrary to the bullshit numbers they feed us), the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer, for the nation to respond. We once were blind but now we see. I think a glaringly apparent piece of evidence regarding the Mighty George Bush's lies here is that he decided weeks ago that Donald Rumsfeld's leadership was no longer working, but why did he wait until the day after elections to announce his walking papers? Dubbya - do you really think the American public is that stupid? If you really thought this weeks ago, why not pink slip him then when you could have actually helped your Republican party in the elections by showing the American public that the Republicans were listening to their complaints, that action was being taken to assauge the nation's gripes? Yes, the tides are turning and I think the next two years are going to be the most fun we've had in the country in 6 years.
A few key notes:
1. Nancy Pelosi is set to become the first woman Speaker of the House in the history of our government as we know it...that's 217 years of the House convening.
2. The Democrats easily took control of the House by picking up at least 28 seats.
3. The Democrats tied the Republican seats in the Senate...and most likely took control of the Senate if Webb is announced the winner of the race in Virginia, which by all accounts he did.
4. Repurcussions of the American public's discontent is already looming with the firing of Donald Rumsfeld just one day after the election. (Now if we could just do something about everyone's least favorite puppeteer, Cheney).
5. The person I campaigned for over the last year and a half, Deval Patrick became Massachusett's first black Governor, the first Democratic Governor in 16 years and the only the nation's second black Governor in history.
6. All three states that had ballot measures to ban abortion or require parental notification did not pass (the religious right must be having coronaries over this).
7. The 6 states that had ballot measures to raise the minimum wage all passed overwhelmingly. I have a distinct feeling this will also be addressed at the Federal level in the very near future as well.
Not all is glory and roses, however. I can not say that I am shocked by this, but highly, highly disappointed...in the 8 states that had ballot measures to ban gay marriage or domestic partnerships, all were passed hands-down. It deeply saddens me that this is even a discussion, let alone a reality. This would be like having a constitutional amendment in the 1950's or 60's that black people shouldn't have the right to social benefits. it just makes me sick that people can not see the inequality here. The land of the free, separation of church and state my ass.
Anyhoo, I will be off my soapbox now. And the countdown continues...6 more days!
Peace, love and all that other bullshit,
Liss
