I’m writing this before reading any other blogs this morning so as not to be influenced. I hope I don’t sound like anyone else!
Political ads are over for a while. Yahoo! Don’t even get me started on campaign spending. 20 million in one race alone in the state of Illinois. Just for reference, that amount could have sponsored approximately 3600 Compassion kids for 10 years, saving them from poverty and giving them a chance at a good education. It could have purchased millions of mosquito nets for people in Uganda, thus saving them from the threat of malaria. For real. And that was just in one state. In one race. I guess I did just get started on that, huh?
Overall, I’m pretty happy with the election outcomes. I’m really happy that Democrats no longer control House and Senate. I’m incredibly hopeful that this means our president will only serve one term.
I’m disappointed that Nevada couldn’t find anyone besides Sharron Angle to run against Reid, but whatever. I’m hoping that Ed Martin can somehow miraculously manage a victory over Carnahan here in Missouri and end his family’s dynasty. I’m encouraged by some newly elected governors across the country who seem like a breath of fresh air. I’m thankful that my home state of Illinois didn’t elect Giannoulias. Whew.
But. (You knew that was coming, right?)
I can’t say I completely identify with any one party. Of course, we can take the labels “Democrat” and “Liberal” off the table. The faster this mess of a healthcare bill can be repealed, the better. Oh, and it’s not because I hate poor people and don’t want them to have access to healthcare, as has been suggested; I simply don’t want the government running healthcare. I think it’s a horrible idea, given the amazing job they do at running everything else *eyeroll*. There are other ways to go about fixing healthcare, and here’s hoping that those elected last night will see to it that it gets done. Not that I’m holding my breath.
And while I by far embrace Republican ideals more than those two, I can readily admit that Republicans, in general, haven’t done a good job the last several years, either. The idea that Republican = socially conservative isn’t accurate. Capitalism breeds ingenuity and competition, which I, and the GOP, think are good things. It also breeds discontent and greed, which are not good. But I’ll ALWAYS err on the side of capitalist ideas over socialist. Always.
And there are things about the Tea Party that I definitely agree with: smaller government, to me, is the way to go. I agree that encouraging economic growth through business big and small is a good idea, and lower taxes enables that to happen, especially for small businesses. But I don’t want to be aligned with some of the loud (especially local) voices of the Tea Party who I don’t think truly embrace the same things I do. But I do like the grassroots effort that the Tea Party has been, and how people who didn’t like where our country is headed actually got off the couch and did something about it. See? Internal conflict.
I guess I’ll just keep saying socially and fiscally conservative? I don’t know.
How are you feeling post-election? Keep it civil, folks.
Pretty much exactly the same as you. As in, you could have written this post for me, posted it on my blog and I wouldn’t have had any objections. I love the idea of the Tea Party. I love that it gives people who didn’t feel like they had a voice an actual platform on which to stand and voice their concerns. But, as with you, I think there are some definate downsides to the Tea Party as well. Personally, I don’t believe any party should ever have such broad control of the House, Senate and Presidency. When that happens, inevitably the will of the people will be pushed aside for that party’s agenda. It’s not healthy. If we have a decent balance of power in Washington then at least there is room for dialogue and discourse. Just my two cents.
I’m going to direct people over here today from my blog because I seriously don’t think I could have written this better myself.
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I agree with you completely. I think a lot of people don’t relate well to any party. I would say the ideas of the Constitution Party resonate with me, but ever since Sawyer was born, I haven’t been as into politics as I used to be. The Tea Party is appealing to me but some people think you are a crazy person if you say you support the Tea Party movement.
Well said Nicole. I agree too. Having had first-hand experience with government controlled health care (since Jer is active duty Army) I can tell you personally that you really DO NOT want the government running healthcare. I like the idea of helping people who can’t afford it, but taking the privatization out of insurance will not be a good thing for the quality of care people receive. Been there, seen that.
I’m relieved that a loud message was sent to the white house about how people feel he’s doing. I am not so sure he’ll listen. I do hope he’ll work towards some bipartisanship as he so claimed to be willing to do in the past. But, I doubt that too.
Thanks for mentioning the money issue too. I wish our country would think in those terms a little more often. How is it that one candidate can raise that much money for THEMSELVES and few try to do so for others? Hmmmm….
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Excellent, excellent post, Nicole. I love how you state your position with passion without being preachy or judgmental as so, so many bloggers on both sides are. You are awesome, momma!
The conundrum I face when voting is the whole “label” thing. I lean toward candidates that are fiscally conservative, but I find many Republicans’ value systems are different than mine at times. Sigh.
Very excellent post and I’ll say I agree with everything! You’re welcome (for not voting giannoulias in). That was a major motivator to get me to the polls!
great post. my favorite quote from tuesday was a voter that said (in terms of both parties), “if i’ve heard of you, i’m not voting for you.”
i’m happy with the results.
Very good post Nic – I like the way you’ve addressed the situation of labeling people. I hate being lumped into groupthink because most of my ideals may identify with one side. I really, really hope we can see true bipartisan work the next 2 years (bipartisan = true compromise & collaboration of ideas, not just cooperation).
I am definitely proud to say you are my sister. We were obviously raised the same way & have the same ideals.
Very well done! I surprisingly don’t have anything to add….lol
I loved this post. I feel the same way. If there was a new name on the conservative side, I voted for it. If there was an incumbent republican up against a constitution party and a republican, I voted constitution. Utah actually had a congressman from the constitution party oust a republican. Patting myself on the back for that one. I’m all for term limits, campaign spending reform, and getting back to government being about being public servants.
The rest is just all about pride and power and entitlement. And it makes me want to barf.