The Democrats Didn't Win!

[RAB]

So much as the Republicans lost. 

They've had their chance for 6 years, an unparalleled opportunity to take this country to greater heights of possibilities, boy did they screw it up! 

(With apologies to Oh501 who is tired of the political discussion.)

Don't misunderstand me, no one could be more pleased with the outcome of yesterday's results.  I am relieved that perhaps at long last, after 6 years of one party rule, this country seems to be poised to return to the idea of 3 equal branches of government.  For the last 6 years, we have seen what disastrous consequences can happen when one party is in complete control.

I have no grand illusions however.

The struggle to meet the costs of adequately funding Ryan White will not go away with the Democratic majorities in both chambers.  (And let's not forget that HIV is one of the few medical conditions that has a significant secondary safety net, imagine the struggles of other citizens who suffer from things such as life threatening kidney disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, you name it.) 

The war in Iraq is not going to reach a simple and easy conclusion in the next year or two.  It is a mess.  How we get ourselves out of it is something that neither party seems to have an answer for.

Just as many of us have called the broadly worded proclamations of those on the right as nothing more than heated rhetoric.  I think we have to be careful to not assume that the halcyon days of our imagined futures lay upon the horizon of a newly elected Democratic majority.

At best three things have been achieved:

A.  The Democrats have a chance to have their voices heard without the distortion of right wing driven talking heads.

B.  The voices and concerns of middle class America, the needs and struggles of  marginalized sub-sets of the population, the values that are truly important (as opposed to those of the far right evangelicals) will at least have a place at the table. 

C.  We have an opportunity, albeit difficult, to re-examine our priorities as a country, to reject the divisive politics of Karl Rove and his power driven agenda, and reclaim the voice of commonality that provides for lifting everyone up, because that is truly how we achieve continued greatness.

I'm feeling a lot of post orgasmic after-glow I will admit.  I just hope that the enthusiasm and power that American voters displayed yesterday isn't replaced with disappointment when and if unrealistic goals are not  achieved.

RAB

(Who is always cautious, many times to a fault.)

[MoltenStorm]

I'll second that!

[alisenjafi]

Actually that was my reply to Oh501's post, but what I feel is now the Dems have to work because 2008 is coming up.  I also think this is part of the pr spin of the republican party- "Gee if we just bullshitted better"
I don't think 2 years is even going to begin to clean up the mess this admin has made- it sure isn't going to grow legs and arms on those lost in Iraq. But at least the madness might stop.
Already they are looking into tax loop holes for oil companies. Now is also the time to make organized religion pay taxes for it's hateful divisiveness! Time to tell Hillary that " Don't ask, don't tell- don't work! While it might be a stretch people are now facing the reality in the bible belt , that some of their own men need some man loving!

Christ announced: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." --Matthew 10:34.

[MSPspud]

RAB -  You are entirely correct in your assessment and are not being too cautious.  I’ve watched this win and think of it as a mixed blessing b/c the Democrats still don’t really get it and will continue run lack luster campaigns.  It’s been a year where (paraphrasing Jake) anyone w/ a heartbeat could have won against them.  God we need to make some headway before 2008 in order to hold our gains and/or take the Executive branch.

On a side of bonuses (not mentioned above), any ultra-conservative appointment to the court will have a tough time of getting approved by the legislature.  Unfortunately the damage has been done in the last 6 years, but at least we have a little insurance in case one of them falls.