The results are now mostly in: Democrats picked up the House and may well take the Senate too. Nationally the Republicans won exactly ZERO seats previously held by Democrats, including the governors, while the Democrats picked up 28 seats in the House and 4-6 in the Senate. State and even local races played out the same, with voters rejecting the Republican agenda of divisive social issues and pie in the sky plans for Iraq in favor of actually doing something that matters to Americans. They demanded an end to worthless debates over flag burning, gay marriage, abortion, and Terri Schiavo's medical condition; instead they have called for action on Iraq, education, repealing the Bush tax cuts, progressive energy policy, better environmental regulation, and an end to the corporate handouts crafted into bills written by lobbyists working hand in hand with House leadership. They have resoundingly rejected the politics of Tom Delay and Dick Army, not only in Washington, but at the state and local levels as well.
"Time for a change" indeed. It's been a long time coming, and it's too bad it took so long for voter disgust to reach this level. Much damage has been done, many opportunities lost. Here's hoping we can all move forward on an agenda that will actually improve conditions for Americans of all stripes, and begin the hard work of restoring our reputation abroad as well.
08 November 2006
07 November 2006
No Time To Gloat: Get To Work Dems!
Watching the returns pile in the news is almost universally good-- the house has tipped dramatically, the senate is still in play but will end up very close to even. Here in Minnesota Republicans have lost 13 seats on their way to becoming the minority party in the house, and lost another 5 seats in the senate. Even the draconian South Dakota abortion measure appears to have failed by a wide margin. The only major disappointment so far was Patty Wetterling's defeat in Minnesota's 6th district...we'll have to keep a close eye on Bachman because she's something of a conservative loon. Thankfully she'll be a freshman rep in a demoralized and disorganized minority, so can do little damage before having to stand for re-election in 2008. (Note to DFL: Patty was a good candidate but it's time to find someone else to run for this seat.)
Meanwhile, free advice to the Democrats: don't gloat and get right to work. You've been handed power for a reason and have a very short period to prove yourselves worthy of keeping it. 2008 remains wide open and the Republicans could easily reorganize and take back the house if you don't deal honestly and openly with the agenda the people are calling for. That means action on Iraq, oversight of the administration (hearings yes, impeachment no), reform on health care, more support for education, a more enlightened energy policy, and the end of religious extremists dictating policy on topics like medical research, education, and science. Oh- and perhaps a bit of attention to the environment when you get around to it.
But I wouldn't blame the Dems for marginalizing at least a few R's in the house-- say anyone from Leadership that still has a seat. Have fun being irrelevant Denny H.!
Meanwhile, free advice to the Democrats: don't gloat and get right to work. You've been handed power for a reason and have a very short period to prove yourselves worthy of keeping it. 2008 remains wide open and the Republicans could easily reorganize and take back the house if you don't deal honestly and openly with the agenda the people are calling for. That means action on Iraq, oversight of the administration (hearings yes, impeachment no), reform on health care, more support for education, a more enlightened energy policy, and the end of religious extremists dictating policy on topics like medical research, education, and science. Oh- and perhaps a bit of attention to the environment when you get around to it.
But I wouldn't blame the Dems for marginalizing at least a few R's in the house-- say anyone from Leadership that still has a seat. Have fun being irrelevant Denny H.!
Sex Education Outrage: How a Crazy Minority Threatens Our Kids
A recent story on CNN reports that fully 82% of Americans support comprehensive sex education in public schools. But despite a spate of studies showing so-called "abstinence only" programs simply do not work, social conservatives have succeeded in eliminating or severely crippling sex education programs in schools around the nation. This begs the question: WHY ARE OUR CHILDREN BEING TAUGHT IGNORANCE IN RESPONSE TO LESS THAN 18% OF THE PUBLIC?
Pardon me for yelling, but imagine the reduction in teen pregnancy and abortion we might have achieved had we encouraged schools to develop a realistic sex ed curriculum back in the early 1990s. This survey found that even 70% of self-described conservatives favor comprehensive sex ed, so apparently the entire nation is being held hostage to a small sex-phobic clique-- probably the same one that's pushing "creation science" into classrooms as well.
It's time we stood up to the religious bullies and let them know that while they're welcome to teach their kids any superstitions they wish at home, our kids face some very real problems with STDs and pregnancy that simply must be addressed with facts, not fear-mongering or imaginary concepts like "secondary virginity." As we know from recent events, those who are most vocal in their opposition to healthy sexuality are often those with the most problems...we can and must do better.
Pardon me for yelling, but imagine the reduction in teen pregnancy and abortion we might have achieved had we encouraged schools to develop a realistic sex ed curriculum back in the early 1990s. This survey found that even 70% of self-described conservatives favor comprehensive sex ed, so apparently the entire nation is being held hostage to a small sex-phobic clique-- probably the same one that's pushing "creation science" into classrooms as well.
It's time we stood up to the religious bullies and let them know that while they're welcome to teach their kids any superstitions they wish at home, our kids face some very real problems with STDs and pregnancy that simply must be addressed with facts, not fear-mongering or imaginary concepts like "secondary virginity." As we know from recent events, those who are most vocal in their opposition to healthy sexuality are often those with the most problems...we can and must do better.
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