My confidence in the American public is somewhat restored... praise Zeus!
WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY!The Democrats have taken the House for the first time in 12 years. They will probably have the Senate as well (still waiting on the Virginia results of the Webb/Allen race). Rumsfeld is gone also. It would be hard to get any better than this.
This means the congress will now function the way it was meant to. "Oversight" will be the battle cry. NANCY PELOSI will be speaker of the house (first woman speaker in American history). JOHN CONYERS will probably be the head of the Judiciary committee. The Democrats now have the majority of the governorships.
Here is the Democrats chance to really show that they can do things better. America has obviously decided they don't much like the way Republicans have been running the government. The Democrats need to get something done though. If they do, we could see even more gains in two years. Yes I know, A LOT can happen before then but here is their chance to say "You didn't like the way things looked under the Conservatives, here's how WE do things."
Here's what I would like to see happen with the Democrats now in power:
1. Start funding the 911 commission recommendations.
2. Voting reform.
3. Subpoenas looking into the rational for war.
4. GET THE FUCK OUT OF IRAQ... if not now then very very soon.
5. Repeal the torture laws.
6. Stop phone wire tapping.
7. Universal health care anyone?
The Republicans left in congress are going to be in a tough spot. This election very clearly says that the American public is not real keen on this war anymore. Bush isn't going to change what he's doing, so they have to choose between going with their president, or going with the American public. If their track record is any indication, we know what they'll be doing.
They'll probably fight the Democrats every step of the way. They're not ALL gone... yet. That's to be expected, but THEY will now be the one's labeled as "obstructionists."
Huzzah!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
update:
Shortly after posting this AP called Virginia for Webb.
Double Huzzah!!!!!
Labels: politics
The pendulum has swung and as JFK once said
"We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world"
Maybe a little sentimental on my part but the past 6 years have been tough on all of us.
Posted by
Shane |
12:52 AM
I agree with your whole list, though I'd like to add:
8. Take the anti-gay marriage amendment OFF the federal proverbial table
Now if only we could slip a few Supreme Court Justices in there, we'd be in business!
Posted by
kara |
12:33 PM
kara- the gay marriage ammendment wil never ever ever pass. It is nothing more than a ploy to get homophobic, ignorant, authoritarian zombies to the polls. 3/4ths of the states have to ratify a constitutional ammendment which will not happen in any of our lifetimes.
Their only option is to put it to a vote in states with a majority of homophobic, ignorant, authoritarian zombies voting. This will eventually come to a supreme court decision which, I think, will overturn these state laws. But I might be too optimistic about that, who knows.
Posted by
Devon |
4:06 PM