My Thoughts on the 2012 Election

February 5, 2013

Wow! What a ride it has been over the past year! So many twists & turns and at the end of it all after over $2 billion spent the end result was basically the same place where we started from; The same President, the house run by Republicans and the senate the Democrats. But digging a little deeper, we can see that there really was a monumental and historical change that occurred in this election. Not only with demographics, but with marriage equality rights, women’s rights and even marijuana legalization. This is a new America and excitingly so! It will no longer be run by a majority white, older man any longer. It will also not allow a slim majority of people to decide what everyone will do in regards to who they wish to marry and what they do with their bodies. This was the last chance for the far right to run and win by just a slim majority of white, older, conservative voters. But now that didn’t happen and the torch has passed to a younger, more diverse America and this will only grow in the future!
Now is the chance for the Republicans to finally face this reality and respond accordingly. They only have to look west to California to see their future if they don’t and that future should scare the $%&* out of them. Last week, Democrats strengthened their grip on power in the state. Not only are all statewide offices already in Democratic hands but the last piece of the puzzle of being the super-majority in both state houses, basically means the GOP in CA is limited to being a quiet whisper minority party that can only grab attention by pulling PR stunts! The super majority means the state assembly and senate can pass things without any Republican help or dissent. And in all actuality, having just two parties is limiting in a healthy Democracy, but having only one? Well that’s tantamount to a sickly democracy, even for those that support the party in power. A one-party system is not conducive to opposing viewpoints and a healthy back-and-forth. It allows one party too much of a power grab. It allows out of control spending and laws to pass with no checks and balances. It is not the direction we as a nation want to be headed in. Hopefully the Republicans will take this time out to regroup and prevent a one-party system from occurring nation-wide. And as we as Americans move forward from the election to the act of governing, if I were to be a consultant for the Republicans, I would start with these tenets that are key to all of us. These tenets are un-debatable, but how we go about them certainly is and this is what will make us a healthy democracy.
–We as Americans all want a healthy, vibrant economy where good waged jobs are available for those who want it.
–We as Americans all want an exceptional education system for our children to have the best access to learn and grow and contribute fully to society as adults and adults can get the college, post graduate, trade school and vocational skills to be able to compete in today and tomorrow’s global marketplace without going into terrible debt to do so.
–We as Americans all believe in a strong, yet lean military that can keep us protected, but always with an aim for peace, rather than war.
–We as Americans all should have access to affordable, great healthcare regardless of income level or geographic location and should not have to go into bankruptcy for such care. Again affordable and accessible healthcare for EVERYONE.
–We as Americans should find a thoughtful, decent way of allowing illegal immigrants a way to achieve citizenship, especially children who came here not on their own accord. This only strengthens our economy by allowing immigrants the ability to fully participate and contribute back to this society by paying taxes, getting an education and perhaps even starting their own companies, or becoming lawyers, doctors, etc. We need to make this a reality!
–We as Americans all want the right to be with those we love and have that partnership recognized equally to fully be a part of society’s fabric regardless of gender, period!
–We as Americans should not interfere in a woman’s medical choices. It is an incredibly personal decision that should be left to her, her medical professionals and anyone else she deems. It is not up to politicians, or our government to make this choice or in any way be involved. Period.
Now how we decide to get there is up for debate and I’m excited to see where the debate takes us over the next 4 years and beyond!