Autopsy

I just read a Bold Progressives assessment of yesterday's elections.  Their conclusions  resonated with me.  It led me to think about how often I've pointed a finger at elected officials generally, and Republicans in particular, for their courage deficiency.  Now the same can be said for some Democrats who have been running away from their good President and from the very principles that make us Democrats fight for the highest good of ALL Americans.  I was proud of two Democratic women who ran for office here in South Carolina.  They worked hard, articulated their visions clearly and ran honorable campaigns. In one instance, her opponent pulled dirty tricks at the last minute, misinformation (lies) that didn't allow time for correcting.  The old Lee Atwater strategy.   Neither of my candidates won—yet both were successful.  South Carolina Democratic Women's Council worked hard all year; sadly, election outcomes didn't reflect their dedicated efforts.

In the national elections,  it seems there was also a major lapse in communicating with the average voter. Too many voters weren't reminded of the huge gains this Administration has made in restoring a fast-collapsing economy; in getting health care for so many uninsured Americans; defending voting rights and marriage equality.  Civil rights.  Everyone's rights.

 

 I wonder how many "independent" voters, or people who didn't vote yesterday, were aware of  the consequences of a Republican majority in the  U. S. Senate.   A Senate led by Mitch McConnell.  They weren't told that a senator who declares regularly that global climate change is a "hoax" will rule the committee overseeing the environment.  We can anticipate weakened or repealed regulations very soon.   Environmental gains will be set back decades.   We can no longer count on the protection of banking and consumer finance regulations.   Sadly, our economy and our personal finances are likely to feel this change.  And there's so much more.   Keep your fingers crossed for Social Security and Medicare.  It's doubtful any Administration appointments will be approved, thus leaving a vacuum in some agencies.  Good luck if there's a Supreme Court vacancy.

 

More states will have Republican governors, many of whom will agree with signing off on legislative actions to limit women's access to reproductive health, including birth control in some instances.  Gay rights—all civil rights— are likely to suffer in those states. 

 

 Republicans are famous for ranting about government inefficiency and advocating "shrinking the government. " Legislatively, they'll now have carte blanc  to ensure their fabricated complaints become truth.  They'll do that by cutting funding and failing to approve appointments of qualified leaders for various agencies.  (Funding case in point:  Republicans refused funding increases for American embassies, then blamed the Administration because there wasn't more protection in place.  Do average voters connect the dots there and realize it takes money to hire employees?!  Do they know Congress is responsible for approving budgets?  I don't think Democrats made that point effectively enough in the media.  And I think it's time for a nationwide civics course.

 

The Bold Progressives analysis:  http://www.forwardprogressives.com/dear-democratic-party-make-mistake-republicans-didnt-win-lost/

 

Now seems like a good time for deep reflection, dear Lefties.  Mixed with the mourning  And then we will move on, assess and repair what needs fixing.  A lingering question: How do we infuse our Democratic candidates and elected officials with enough courage to BE Democrats.  To be proud, bold Liberals again?