As with all elections, this one demonstrated glimpses into America’s future:
• Every month, 50,000 Latino-Americans turn 18, voting age, and they do vote.
• The African-American population continues to grow in urban areas and struggles to thrive, vote, and demand more seats at the table.
• Women will decide women’s issues, not old white men, especially old white men clad in the robes of religious authority.
• When The Money tries to buy the government, American voters are still independent enough to turn it back, and endless smear ads are causing unintended reactions.
• The tea party is filled with a diminishing number of people from old demographic groups who have one thing in common: clinging to an America in which they once prospered but an America which no longer exists. It will not end suddenly, but it will fade noticeably with each passing election. Nationally, the new Republican Party has yet to define itself.
• Maricopa County, Arizona, is still the home of a Republican political machine. It is a conduit for out-of-state money, willing to ignore the corruption of its core members, and a last bastion for shrinking tea party demographics. As the TP fades from national significance, its fossilized remains will still be found in Arizona.
Ron Weitbrecht
Gilbert
truth posted at 3:52 pm on Fri, Nov 9, 2012.
In Spain, politics are limited to ONE MONTH, I woud love to see the U.S. have the same limits. In our two party system, politicians promote so much hatrid and the voters also show the same hatrid, while the politicans plunder the country.
downtownresident posted at 8:05 am on Sat, Nov 10, 2012.
Sadly, worms like Karl Rove and others spent $6,000,000,000.00 to try to influence this election. Brings back memories of worms Greg Western and the Pearce brothers trying to rig the recall election of Russ by recruiting Olivia Cortez as a sham candidate.
Guess what? The $6 BILLION they threw away on this election didn't change a thing.
Neither did Olivia, just proves how low people will stoop to get their way. Shame on them all!!!
JNelson posted at 8:41 am on Sat, Nov 10, 2012.
$6 Billion!!! Nothing like an exaggeration to try and bolster one's point, I guess. Also guessing you don't know that the Dems outspent the Repubs, either.
But I share with you that big money plays a far too influential role in these elections, if that is what you actually meant to say.
Arizona Willie posted at 8:42 am on Sat, Nov 10, 2012.
I'm thinking that any Congressman who has signed one of Norquist's NO TAX pledges should be charged with Treason.
The oath they pledged to Norquist is in direct conflict with their oath of office they took when they were sworn in.
Refusing to raise taxes when the country is on the brink of bankruptcy and has a huge deficit to pay down harms the country.
In order to get more money from Norquist, and to keep him from financing candidates in opposition to them, they violate their Oath of Office.
Norquist himself should be charged with suborning Congressmen and should spend many years in prison.
chatmandu002 posted at 9:36 am on Sat, Nov 10, 2012.
Ron,
You are right, the liberal/progressive socialists won. Our country is over the hump and will be leaving capitalism and individual liberties behind. From now on it's Big Government for everyone and everyone for Big Government, you know the olde "all for one and one for all" stuff. Now we will see just how fast we can catch up with Greece and the other failing socialists European countries. Obama can start reviving the clothing industry by backing unionized clothing businesses that make little Mao uniforms for everyone. And then Obama can bankroll some re-education schools/camps for us conservatives and tea party folks. All hail the new liberal/progressive socialist citizen. Now everyone get inline for your Big Government handouts and don't forget to attend your daily required "how to be a good liberal/progressive socialist citizen" training.
sockratties posted at 10:01 am on Sat, Nov 10, 2012.
Ron - true and well said.
Big business has burrowed its way into our political system with pernicious resolve. Recent decisions relating to corporate rights and superPACs exacerbate rotting of the political core.
truth- I don't know if a month is the right amount of time but politicians shouldn't begin campaigning and raising money as soon as they take office. Under current conditions they almost have to. The hatred you mention has to damage the image and prestige of the elected, both here and around the world.
Willie – Charging Congresspeople who sign a pledge that limits their ability to perform with treason is a cool idea. Norquist's actions and political pressure subverts effectiveness of congress whether they do or don't agree to sign.
Unfortunately there isn't an “weasel” test they can be required to take before assuming office. If there was, the state congressional offices here in Arizona would be empty and there would be a lot of job openings in Washington D.C.
Arizona Willie posted at 11:28 am on Sat, Nov 10, 2012.
sockratties -- we don't need a " weasel " test before people are elected.If they take the Norquist pledge either BEFORE or AFTER assuming office they could be charged with violating their Oath of Office, at the least.
Because the Norquist pledge violates their Oath of Office and is a statement that they are refusing to do their duty as a Congressperson.Taking the Norquist pledge is a oath to violate the oath of office they will be required to take if they take the pledge before being elected.Either way they are pledging fealty to Norquist instead of to the United States of America.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 11:29 am on Sat, Nov 10, 2012.
My Gawd.............these Letters are like reading a page from Commuinst China's old Dictator....MAO TSE DONG'S..........LITTLE RED BOOK.
THANK GAWD THE HOUSE IS STILL MAJORITY REPUBLICAN OR AMERICA WOULD BE HAVING A..............."CULTURAL REVOLUTION".
DemocraticDad posted at 12:48 pm on Sat, Nov 10, 2012.
Leon, I urge you to check immediately...I think there might be a Communist under your bed.
Cerulean posted at 12:56 pm on Sat, Nov 10, 2012.
Ron – true and well said. (I like that)
Downtown - That $6,000,000,000.00 was merely ‘redistributed’. Some of it might trickle down to some day laborers in Ohio and Florida
.
JNelson – Barack Obama raised more money, 56% from donations under $200, to spend on his campaign. However, tons of cash loosened from the hoarder’s hands that went to PACs. Restore Our Future (what a joke), American Crossroad etc., etc., etc. spent lavishly in support of the Romney campaign.
Romney should have been honest and said “look, if you don’t elect me I will just move a few more millions to the Cayman’s; that is why taxing the wealthy will not work.”
Az Willie – I second the motion.
Dale Whiting posted at 3:22 pm on Sat, Nov 10, 2012.
Ron,
Looks like your statements upset our Neo-con commenters! Too bad they cannot smell the roses!
onerebel posted at 8:52 pm on Sat, Nov 10, 2012.
Ron you forgot to mention the endless list of free stuff people are now being given for their votes. You also mention money trying to buy the government, and endless smear ads. I hope you were including all the Liberal union money and the pushing Granny off a cliff ads. There is no doubt that the Democrats and Liberals are breaking their arms patting themselves on the back right now. So now that the American people have put YOU in charge, and bought the line that YOU have all the answers on how to fix this countries problems, you own it! Remember, California and Arizona's budgets were both deep in debt during the last election. California elected Liberals and Arizona elected Conservative's. Now Arizona's budget is balanced with a surplus, and California's is deeper in debt. Talk is cheap, in four years we'll know how well the Liberal plan really works!
sockratties posted at 9:37 am on Sun, Nov 11, 2012.
leon is a troll.... don't feed the trolls!
sockratties posted at 9:46 am on Sun, Nov 11, 2012.
Chat...
You may not realize it, but you're just paraphrasing Orwell. He said that no matter how a government is created; kingdom, dynasty, dictatorship, democracy, etc., they all end up being a bureaucracy. Perhaps you're right, but if you are, it doesn't matter who wins elections, who votes or who cares.
VofReason posted at 1:17 pm on Mon, Nov 12, 2012.
Amazing how two people can look at the same thing and see something so different. So the author is saying that blacks and latinios are becoming a larger portion of the population and will assume cannot do it by themselves and so will vote Democrat becuase the Demecrates will do it for them. I have a higher image of people, black, latino or otherwise. I think people can and should do things for themselves. I am a little confused as to who is telling women what they can and cannot do. Unless we are talking about murdering their unborn babies. Strange, if Republicans are so evil against women, why would any women vote republican. Many clearly do? I will agree with the Tea Party comments. Yes, those older people who grew up with self responsibility and when accepting charity when you could do it yourself was shameful.
downtownresident posted at 11:29 am on Tue, Nov 13, 2012.
OK, Rove didn't spend 6 Bil. But all the money didn't change anything.
As concerned as I am about our dismal future, I'd rather have Barack than Mitt in office.
VofReason posted at 1:07 pm on Tue, Nov 13, 2012.
Because President Obama has done so much to change the gloomy economy? Or just because?
Dale Whiting posted at 6:00 am on Wed, Nov 14, 2012.
How can the TEA Party brew its elixor when its trunk has died? As of 11/6/12 Fall has arrived. Better gather in the last of the leaves. Someone is coming to harvest the dead wood for their home fireplace! If they think they have been taxed enough already, just wait for the Bush Tax Cuts to expire!