I have this nagging feeling of relief. I know, they are scoundrels and bad for the people. On he other hand we do need a government and there were a lot of folk who got off their buts and went to the polls and elected them.
There are a number of really important questions that immediately come to mind.
First, what is the unspoken message from the majority who sat this out? I was inclined to at one point because I do not like what the democratic party has done in recent years. I did not like what they did after I first became a voter in 1960.
I can't pretend to know what that message is, but I have some guesses. More on this below the break.
The next question is what is it about the active democrats that allows them to repeat the same scenario every election they lose? You know what I mean.
If only we could get them out to vote
Midterm elections are not important to some democrats
They outspent us with all that money from the oligarchs
Once a candidate loses we say that they were weak and did this or that wrong.
There's more but you know what I am talking about if you read comments tonight.
The really tough question is what were the people who elected them voting for?
Read on below if any of this seems worth thinking about at this point.
I'm sure we will get some feedback sooner or later, but meanwhile let's think about what just happened.
If I am sounding like I am trying to make lemonade remember that I am an academic who tries to find answers to difficult questions.
I am in touch with a part of me that hated this gridlock and lack of government. We have already had some diaries that predict that our president might try to find a way to work with these people. They did not not sound happy about that and I understand why. On the other hand we need a government desperately.
Who are these people going to obstruct now? They can't obstruct the president but in a limited number of ways. They can pass bills and he can either sign them or veto them. He has some limited leverage in trying to get some concessions before signing.
Is it really possible that these people were elected to do away with social security and medicare? I think not and I think they know it. I think they have to be looking ahead to 2016.
I am wondering if, after the smoke clears, there are not some real possibilities here. I can not imagine them doing what they did before this election anymore. I wonder if something positive is hidden by all the mourning and gnashing of teeth?
I am a maverick among democrats. I always have been. My ideas are to radical to be politically practical. So I have an apparently rare advantage right now to imagine what might be a way to minimize the loss and to explore new ways to gain. Just some thoughts among all the gloom.