Election 2010 - Post election thoughts.
That was interesting. Let us start with the local races in my state of Massachusetts.
Massachusetts
Several disappointments in this state, especially when contrasted to the national backdrop. Despite my somewhat pessimistic prediction regarding this state, I am left amazed that Massachusetts continues to politically operate in a world of it's own. While the US House experienced the greatest surge of partisan politics in 60 years, the well greased Democratic machine of Massachusetts hummed with an eerie predictability. Every single state-wide office went to the Democrats, every US House seat and two of the three ballot measures failed. What happened? Is the message wrong? Are the tea party inspired fiscal conservative out of touch? Is the repudiation of Obama's liberal agenda incorrect? If so, then the entire country is wrong and only Massachusetts is right.
Most painful of course was the defeat of Question 3, the opportunity to rollback the sales tax to 3% and send a loud and clear message to the one party ruling us - STOP SPENDING. Over 1.2 million people decided to continue paying more money instead of demanding fiscal responsibility. This message is not much different than that was sent through the Republican wave across the country. Yet the citizens of Massachusetts bludgeoned with 4.5 million dollars of union money felt that being besieged by an all mighty state was preferable to reigning in control. The mentality that a far reaching government can effectively and efficiently handle all of our problems with just the right amount of confiscated wealth remains an ardent faith in the minds and souls of our citizens. A perverse and simply incomprehensible loyalty to party trumps all other concerns, even that of incumbency. This year was truly remarkable, especially for this state given the amount of exciting and interesting challengers running for office and one is left wondering, who would possibly throw their hat in their ring again after such a drubbing?
US House
The wave in the House was truly a sight to behold. Americans, with the exception of Massachusetts, collectively rejected the direction put forth by the Obama-Pelosi-Reid trio and have somewhat ironically placed the trust of the purse back into the hands of the Republicans, in the case of the leadership exactly the same Republicans from whom the trust was taken just 4 short years ago. What is undeniable, America has become more conservative and dramatically so. Whereas 2008 suggested a European style lurch to center-left, 2010 not only corrects the anomaly but places us into somewhat uncharted lands. As this graph suggests (courtesy of NYT):
What is far more important, is that these are not just any Republicans, but fiscally conservative Republicans many stamped with the Tea Party seal of approval. Yesterday represents a very unique period in history, where the Americans have entrusted the opposition party with a majority to do a very specific task. This task can be heard and seen through the dozens of campaign promises and pledges to stop spending, repeal ObamaCare, reduce the debt and dramatically reduce the reach and scope of Federal government. This voice echoed through every American as can be seen here:
Not only has virtually every demographic shifted their position from 2008, but almost 80% believe that our Government is TOO DAMN BIG. While the simplicity of the statement may reduce it's significance, I assure you that size - does matter. A big government is expensive, corrupt, sluggish, inefficient, slow, out of touch and prevents innovation, growth, choice, freedom and everything else that makes America great. The idea is not to have a big government, but to have a government that works!
What can you expect from Republicans? Simple, a test. We all know that with the Senate and White House in Democrat control there is only so much they can do, but they need to demonstrate to America their level of seriousness. If the Pledge to America, truly is the best Republican leadership can muster, then we might have a problem on our hands come 2012. But if they are serious about scaling back the damage that has been created over several decades of empty promises and hollow predictions, then now is the time to do it!
Put the onus on the Senate and the White House to put up or shut up and the American people will reward you. Tackle Fannie/Freddie, end funding for expensive failures and seriously reform our entitlement programs. This is the only path we have, so take it. Introduce new and innovative ideas, simplify the tax code and pass term limits. Maybe just maybe, by 2012 you will be given an opportunity in the Senate and the White House to implement your ideas. Otherwise, America's entire two party system might collapse - for better or worse.
Senate
Somewhere between Massachusetts and the House were the Senate results. Underwhelming to say the least, but with certain undeniable perks. Starting with the good. Rand Paul, 'nuff said. Mike Lee from Utah and Ron Johnson from Wisconsin can prove to be powerful voices. Though Democrats have retained majority, the Senate as a whole has become far more constitutional! Using the power of DeMint's experience and the Tea Party voice of the incoming Senators, spending should grind to a halt. Good news indeed..
Unfortunately, this coalition should have been much larger. Bitter defeats came from Alaska, Nevada and Colorado. Three potential Senators that could have formed a powerful constitutional nucleus have been defeated. What is especially sad to recognize is that America simply rejected, with the exception of Kentucky, the idea that we should utilize our constitution as a guideline. Concepts like closing down the Department of Education, reforming Medicare/Social Security and cutting Federal programs have been relegated to the status of extremism. How sad.
Barry Goldwater referred to Social Security as the sacred cow some 40 years ago after meeting his political demise for maligning the program and not much has changed since. People still make their decisions based on a retirement program that is not only unconstitutional, but mechanically flawed and functionally bankrupt. Similarly, the idea that we should return education to the state level while reducing federal tax burdens is considered out of touch and extreme. Yet Jimmy Carter's creation has done nothing to alleviate our national education problem, we still throw more money at the problem and our kids rot in classrooms longer than most any other Wester country - and we have nothing to show for it. Unemployment benefits are now at 99 weeks and 42 million people are on food stamps. We have an entire population bloc that now relies on taxpayers for survival.
Thus, my only reasonable conclusion is that America is simply not ready since petty scare tactics can be utilized so effectively. Americans are not ready for tough reforms, painful decisions and changes that we simply must make, not out of theory, but out of necessity.
My only hope, is that people recognize the gravity of the situation, before economic failures result in the forced financial destruction of millions Americans currently relying on the Federal government for support.
Miscellaneous
Republicans have made record inroads in State legislatures. Some states like New Hampshire flipped completely Republican (State, congress, senate) while other states gained GOP majorities for the first time since in over one hundred years! This means that if these new Republicans are truly serious about limiting federal power, they will have the power of structuring their districts to ensure longer term control. This combined with the fact that the Census is adding population in GOP friendly states while removing population in Democrat friendly states provided a one-two punch for the long significance of the Republican party. Whether this turns out to be a boon for America as a whole remains to be seen, I for one, am extremely skeptical. These next two years will prove to be crucial.
Massachusetts
Several disappointments in this state, especially when contrasted to the national backdrop. Despite my somewhat pessimistic prediction regarding this state, I am left amazed that Massachusetts continues to politically operate in a world of it's own. While the US House experienced the greatest surge of partisan politics in 60 years, the well greased Democratic machine of Massachusetts hummed with an eerie predictability. Every single state-wide office went to the Democrats, every US House seat and two of the three ballot measures failed. What happened? Is the message wrong? Are the tea party inspired fiscal conservative out of touch? Is the repudiation of Obama's liberal agenda incorrect? If so, then the entire country is wrong and only Massachusetts is right.
Most painful of course was the defeat of Question 3, the opportunity to rollback the sales tax to 3% and send a loud and clear message to the one party ruling us - STOP SPENDING. Over 1.2 million people decided to continue paying more money instead of demanding fiscal responsibility. This message is not much different than that was sent through the Republican wave across the country. Yet the citizens of Massachusetts bludgeoned with 4.5 million dollars of union money felt that being besieged by an all mighty state was preferable to reigning in control. The mentality that a far reaching government can effectively and efficiently handle all of our problems with just the right amount of confiscated wealth remains an ardent faith in the minds and souls of our citizens. A perverse and simply incomprehensible loyalty to party trumps all other concerns, even that of incumbency. This year was truly remarkable, especially for this state given the amount of exciting and interesting challengers running for office and one is left wondering, who would possibly throw their hat in their ring again after such a drubbing?
US House
The wave in the House was truly a sight to behold. Americans, with the exception of Massachusetts, collectively rejected the direction put forth by the Obama-Pelosi-Reid trio and have somewhat ironically placed the trust of the purse back into the hands of the Republicans, in the case of the leadership exactly the same Republicans from whom the trust was taken just 4 short years ago. What is undeniable, America has become more conservative and dramatically so. Whereas 2008 suggested a European style lurch to center-left, 2010 not only corrects the anomaly but places us into somewhat uncharted lands. As this graph suggests (courtesy of NYT):
What is far more important, is that these are not just any Republicans, but fiscally conservative Republicans many stamped with the Tea Party seal of approval. Yesterday represents a very unique period in history, where the Americans have entrusted the opposition party with a majority to do a very specific task. This task can be heard and seen through the dozens of campaign promises and pledges to stop spending, repeal ObamaCare, reduce the debt and dramatically reduce the reach and scope of Federal government. This voice echoed through every American as can be seen here:
Not only has virtually every demographic shifted their position from 2008, but almost 80% believe that our Government is TOO DAMN BIG. While the simplicity of the statement may reduce it's significance, I assure you that size - does matter. A big government is expensive, corrupt, sluggish, inefficient, slow, out of touch and prevents innovation, growth, choice, freedom and everything else that makes America great. The idea is not to have a big government, but to have a government that works!
What can you expect from Republicans? Simple, a test. We all know that with the Senate and White House in Democrat control there is only so much they can do, but they need to demonstrate to America their level of seriousness. If the Pledge to America, truly is the best Republican leadership can muster, then we might have a problem on our hands come 2012. But if they are serious about scaling back the damage that has been created over several decades of empty promises and hollow predictions, then now is the time to do it!
Put the onus on the Senate and the White House to put up or shut up and the American people will reward you. Tackle Fannie/Freddie, end funding for expensive failures and seriously reform our entitlement programs. This is the only path we have, so take it. Introduce new and innovative ideas, simplify the tax code and pass term limits. Maybe just maybe, by 2012 you will be given an opportunity in the Senate and the White House to implement your ideas. Otherwise, America's entire two party system might collapse - for better or worse.
Senate
Somewhere between Massachusetts and the House were the Senate results. Underwhelming to say the least, but with certain undeniable perks. Starting with the good. Rand Paul, 'nuff said. Mike Lee from Utah and Ron Johnson from Wisconsin can prove to be powerful voices. Though Democrats have retained majority, the Senate as a whole has become far more constitutional! Using the power of DeMint's experience and the Tea Party voice of the incoming Senators, spending should grind to a halt. Good news indeed..
Unfortunately, this coalition should have been much larger. Bitter defeats came from Alaska, Nevada and Colorado. Three potential Senators that could have formed a powerful constitutional nucleus have been defeated. What is especially sad to recognize is that America simply rejected, with the exception of Kentucky, the idea that we should utilize our constitution as a guideline. Concepts like closing down the Department of Education, reforming Medicare/Social Security and cutting Federal programs have been relegated to the status of extremism. How sad.
Barry Goldwater referred to Social Security as the sacred cow some 40 years ago after meeting his political demise for maligning the program and not much has changed since. People still make their decisions based on a retirement program that is not only unconstitutional, but mechanically flawed and functionally bankrupt. Similarly, the idea that we should return education to the state level while reducing federal tax burdens is considered out of touch and extreme. Yet Jimmy Carter's creation has done nothing to alleviate our national education problem, we still throw more money at the problem and our kids rot in classrooms longer than most any other Wester country - and we have nothing to show for it. Unemployment benefits are now at 99 weeks and 42 million people are on food stamps. We have an entire population bloc that now relies on taxpayers for survival.
Thus, my only reasonable conclusion is that America is simply not ready since petty scare tactics can be utilized so effectively. Americans are not ready for tough reforms, painful decisions and changes that we simply must make, not out of theory, but out of necessity.
My only hope, is that people recognize the gravity of the situation, before economic failures result in the forced financial destruction of millions Americans currently relying on the Federal government for support.
Miscellaneous
Republicans have made record inroads in State legislatures. Some states like New Hampshire flipped completely Republican (State, congress, senate) while other states gained GOP majorities for the first time since in over one hundred years! This means that if these new Republicans are truly serious about limiting federal power, they will have the power of structuring their districts to ensure longer term control. This combined with the fact that the Census is adding population in GOP friendly states while removing population in Democrat friendly states provided a one-two punch for the long significance of the Republican party. Whether this turns out to be a boon for America as a whole remains to be seen, I for one, am extremely skeptical. These next two years will prove to be crucial.
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