2010 Elections

From the Left of Center:

The 2010 Election has left many people wondering what went wrong. Was it health care, the economy, social issues,or simply a misunderstanding by many on the left about the importance of mid-term elections. The answer is of course “All of the Above”.

While 82% of all Americans (according to the Commonwealth Fund’s 2008 Survey) felt that our health care system needed fixing, no one was prepared for the cumbersome, compromise laden, expensive plan hashed out by the administration and further amended by Congress. A simple, single payer option with no one being required to purchase insurance of any type makes the most sense for the average American who pays up to 20% of their paycheck toward insurance premiums. However, what makes sense is not always what people want or think they want. All it takes is for someone to use the word “Socialism” or “Liberal” and working class Americans flock back to the same system that has burdened them for over a century. If Democrats ever plan on winning the health care debate, they must be prepared to give real numbers when discussing how much money is poured into private insurance by the average worker.

The economy is currently and always will be the single most important issue for Americans. Ironically it is the one area where the Executive branch and Legislative branch have little or no control. While Fiscal Policy (taxing and spending) is important, it can only alleviate the symptoms of the “Great Recession”, much like Roosevelt used it during the Great Depression. Roosevelt didn’t end the Depression, however, he made it bearable for most Americans through government programs such as the T.V.A., the C.C.C., and the N.R.A. (National Recovery Act). This was strongly criticized by Republicans and the rich, however, working people showed their approval by electing him for a record 4 times. While President Obama and the Democrats had the same opportunity, they balked. They were afraid of the reaction of conservative pundits who believe that the key to economic recovery is sacrificing the poor and the middle class to the failed “trickle down” coddling of the rich. This approach failed miserably under the Bush administration which destroyed a budget surplus in less than 2 years with corporate and upper class tax cuts. The tax cuts which were given to families who made less than 250,000 a year would not have made a dent in the surplus. Tax breaks to corporations and wealthy individuals are supposed to encourage growth through business spending and hiring. This theory failed. As a result, the economy almost collapsed. President Bush, to his credit, saw the need to propose the stimulus plan which along with President Obama’s plan has alleviated much of the suffering of the average American through un-employment payments and government assistance. President Obama needs to realize that the Republican party has simply did what he did in 2008, capitalize on peoples fears and ignorance. As a result, he needs to increase government spending at a G.O.P. like pace and allow the Federal Reserve to worry about the money supply and the National Debt. With more spending comes more jobs, with more jobs come more consumer spending, with more consumer spending comes greater sales, with greater sales come greater profits.

Mid-Term elections almost always see a decline in support for the “ruling” party. This is largely due to a misunderstanding by the people about the importance of these elections. We Americans, especially moderately conservative, mainstream, or liberal Americans, tend to believe that once we elect a President or Governor, the rest will take care of itself. As a result, the people who are discontented with the executive are much more likely to go to the polls while those who are satisfied tend to stay at home. The result is what appears to be a mandate for change.

President Obama must be aggressive where it is important and reserved where it is not. Many Americans would have not turned against the Democrats 30 years ago had it not been for its embracing of so many non-traditional social issues, abortion in particular. President Obama deserves a tremendous amount of credit for appointing a Pro-life Justice, Sotomayor. Hopefully this will help lead to a removal of the pro-choice language in the party platform. The President has also been adament in his defense of marriage as a man-woman institution. His reiteration of his support for President Clinton’s Defense of Marriage act has helped calm many moderate supporters. When necessary, President Obama has maintained the Democratic position on many social issues. What could be more patriotic than wanting to serve one’s country. His support for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was the correct thing to do even though it may bring about some negative reaction from the far right.

The 2010 elections were not a mandate, simply a reaction. As a result of this reaction, effective government will temporarily decline and a level of stalemate will occur. This stalemate would be tolerable in better economic times, however, it is not tolerable in today’s recessionary state.