2010 Midterm Elections: Where do we go from here?

I have not written anything on here for a long time(since March, I believe). A lot has happened since that point. We just finished up a very tough or joyous(depending on what side your on) election season. Lets go over last Tuesday's results.

The Republicans now control the US House of Representatives.
Democrats still maintain control of the US Senate, albeit by a much slimmer margin.

Republicans have retaken the Ohio House of Representatives and swept all the major statewide races here in Ohio.

Midterm elections traditionally go for the party in minority, and against the party of the President. This election was really no different. The fact the Democrats were able to hang onto the Senate, speaks volumes about the current, and in fighting going on between "traditional" Republicans and "tea party" Republicans. Had the GOP not nominated Sharron Angle in Nevada, Ken Buck in Colorado, or Christine O'Donnell in Delaware, we could be very likely be looking at a split Senate(with Vice President Biden breaking the tie). Let's take a moment and give thanks to the Tea Party for securing the Democratic majority in the Senate...alright, moment taken.

What does all this mean for 2012? Frankly, at this point, it's hard to tell. The tide has definitely shifted to Republicans, largely due in part to the economic recovery being slower than originally anticipated. But to follow what was said by Tea Party Republican Senator-elect, Marco Rubio of Florida, with these election results being a "second chance for Republicans", I personally couldn't agree more. The fact remains though, that this class of Republicans are just the same as the old school Republicans. They have nothing to offer thats different than what they did when they controlled everything. The version of compromise that you and I believe in, is different from the version they believe in. They believe that the President and Democrats in Congress have to accept everything they propose, as is, and just shut up about it. Obviously, anyone with half a brain will realize that is not compromise. So what do Democrats do now?

First of all, we have the lame duck session of Congress. The super majority the Democrats have in both the House and Senate remains(until January). Here is the way the Democrats can get back on track with the American people. First, Democrats need to show they stand up for the working and middle class, and extend unemployment benefits. Second, Democrats need to stand with the American people, and repeal the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. Third, put a freeze on scheduled cuts to doctors' Medicare reimbursements. Fourth, in order to gain back some of their progressive base, pass the DREAM Act, which would give illegal immigrants and others who come to this country looking for more opportunities, a pathway to citizenship. Obviously, there are some other things that can and should be done as well, but if Democrats want to regain the trust of the American people, and especially their base, then they need to get stuff done with this lame duck session.

Thats what needs to be done in the lame duck session. In the next installment of "The Liberal Approach", we will discuss those who are in the running for House leadership positions, Nancy Pelosi returning as Minority Leader, and where Ohio Democrats go from here after the recent Republican wave across the state.

Until then, stay classy liberals.



P.S.- Check out the following link for all 2010 election results. http://www.politico.com/2010/maps/#/Senate/2010