Thursday, November 29, 2012

There Was An Election On November 6th...

Republicans seem to have missed the fact that there was an election on November the 6th
…and they lost. 
The president defeated his Republican challenger in the popular vote 51%-47%.  The president won 332 electoral votes.  In election parlance that is referred to as a “beat down.” 
Democrats also picked up seats in the Senate including the nationally publicized race in Massachusetts where Elizabeth Warren soundly defeated Republican incumbent Scott Brown. 
Yes, the voters did return control of the House to Republicans.  But Democratic House candidates drew 400,000 more votes than their Republican opponents.
The president won among African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, women, LGBT, as well as the “youth” vote.  The only demographic that went for Romney was white males.  
Any way you slice it, this election was a clear sign that voters approved of the president and his policies.
Immediately after the election a majority of Republicans responded with claims of understanding and introspection.  They claimed to understand the changing demographics.  They claimed to understand that they needed to reach out to African-Americans, Hispanics, women and other minorities that they had ignored in the past.  They promised to be more tolerant, more inclusive, more willing to compromise and more accommodating to the will of the country.
As the majority party in the House, the Republican Caucus has the privilege of appointing the new committee chairs for the upcoming congressional session.  The Caucus just announced those appointments…nineteen in total…
…NINETEEN WHITE MALES…not a black, brown, yellow, red or female face in the bunch.
So much for reaching out to minorities!
On another subject…Republicans and Democrats both agree that the Bush Tax Cuts should be continued for those making under $250,000.  The president has said that since both parties agree on this aspect of budgetary reform they should sign a bill extending those tax cuts immediately and work out the other more controversial components afterward.
 The bill would freeze taxes for 98% of Americans including 97% of the small businesses that Republicans are always so concerned about.  And since the agreement would come at the beginning of the holiday season, it would encourage spending and spur the economy at a time most critical for merchants and small businesses.
Freeze taxes for 98% of Americans.  Freeze taxes for 97% of small businesses.  Help merchants and other small businesses at the most critical time of their year.  Spur economic growth.
Sounds like a win, win!
Not for Republicans!
Republicans refuse to give in on this measure…even though they agree that it is a good idea…even though they agree that it will help the all important small businesses…even though they agree it will help spur economic growth…though they agree it will help the country…even though signing the bill is EXACTLY what voters want them to do.  They refuse to sign the bill unless they get something in return.  As John Boehner told the president; “Nothing comes without a price.”
So much for being more willing to compromise!
Someone needs to tell the Republicans that there was an election on November 6th
…and they lost.

   

No comments:

Post a Comment