What happened Tuesday? Were elections won by small margins so little dissatisfaction two years from now is needed to recoup Republican losses? Tom Delay stated, “We have no one to blame but ourselves.” Further, some new Democrats in Congress will be gun-loving abortion foes. Neo-cons and winning Democrats recognize the job of managing this new majority will be difficult.
Historical precedent has Democrats Johnson, Carter and Clinton wasting opportunities for great progress thus inviting similar surges of disgust with them. Film maker Michael Moore has already sounded this alarm.
True, dysfunctional government was necessary for Tuesday”s results. Incompetence and corruption, with “W” leading, botched Katrina relief, virtually everything related to Iraq, Social Security and Medicare reform, health care, the environment, energy policy, etc. The public”s patience (apathy? ignorance?) has limits despite 12 years of conditioning. “Contract with America” became “Contract ON America.” That public, with huge percentages believing Saddam had weapons of mass destruction and was responsible for 9/11, believes (correctly) that “W” needed checks and balances.
But other insights emerge. Conservative South Dakota voters strike down anti-abortion extremism. A woman will serve as speaker of the house. Painting Pelosi as “ultra-liberal” backfired. A socialist joins the Senate. Anti-intelligent design candidates for the Ohio school board all win. Florida”s Katherine Harris got a thumpin”. Rather than simply a tilt away from Republicans that was broad but not deep, this election was a resounding rejection of extremism. Extremism was so imbedded in our politics that “liberal” equaled “immoral”; disagreement aided terrorists; the needs of the many were rejected to protect the privilege of the few, consistently, openly.
Tuesday reveals the unacceptability of such extremism. Congratulations, Americans, for teaching that lesson to those who needed it most. Democrats are challenged by critiques from both right and left. They must be willing to learn lessons quickly or waste another golden opportunity.
Douglas M. Harris
Clearlake
