The most important thing to take away from tonight: this country wants economic justice. While politicians are fighting over the Senate, every single ballot initiative for raising the minimum wage - including in conservative states like Alaska and Arkansas - is expected to pass. The American people still want the economic justice they thought they voted for in 2008.
While we're all still waiting with bated breath to see whether Dems can hold the Senate, something else equally or perhaps more important is going on. According to Greg Sargent from the Washington Post, Arkansas and Illinois have approved initiatives in support of minimum wage increases. In Arkansas, the measure will have the force of law whereas in Illinois, the initiative is more of a poll.
This phenomenon is not limited to Arkansas and Illinois. This year, the polling looks promising for these initiatives to pass in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Alaska as well. With the exception of Illinois, these are conservative states that often vote Republican.
The passage of these minimum wage measures shows that economic justice is actually more popular than the current Democratic party. In both red and blue states, we have a winning message when it comes to people's pocketbooks. It is a winning issue.
Going forward, yes we need to elect more progressives to office up and down the ballot (Elizabeth Warren for President anyone?). However, we also need to hold them and all elected officials accountable for economic justice.
The right wing has an insane and destructive Tea Party. Their values are wrong, but their insistence and persistence is what we need to emulate on the left for our issues. We need an engaged and vocal progressive movement to push forward a justice agenda.
So feeling iffy with the Senate results still out? Don't fret. Economic justice is a winning platform for us to change America- let's get to building our movement.