So the House of Representatives will be filled with a number of freshman Republicans just as it was filled with a number of freshman Democrats two years ago. As an American, I'm doing my best to be optimistic. Maybe the two sides will find a way to cooperate and enact the kind of policies that will promote economic and social growth. Maybe.
What I fear most isn't a return to the 1950's; there's no way Republicans will be able to repeal healthcare and there's no way the Tea Party will have enough influence to handcuff us to their vision of the yeoman farmer. What I fear most is a failure to move forward, because too many of the people we elected yesterday are looking back. No, they won't be able to actually move us backwards, but they may very well be able to prevent us from moving forward, a scary prospect when you consider that China is leapfrogging every obstacle in their way to supplanting us as the world's leading power.
The American government can't afford not to function, and given that it's hardly functioned for the last year, yesterday's results are worrisome.
Aside from hoping for a reversal of fortunes in 2012, here's what I'm looking for from the government between now and then:
1) A commitment to rebuilding the economy. Well duh. That's what all the anger in this election was about anyhow. It's the economy stupid, never forget that. But Democrats and Republicans are at odds about how to do that. Some ideas. Extend the Bush tax cuts for two years. Yeah, it costs the government some money at a time when most people think they're spending too much, but getting out of the recession is much more important than getting out of debt. One logically follows as a result of the other. Both sides could get on board with this.
Tax gas even more. Yes, I said it, raise gas taxes. It works like this: we're making the Earth dirty and we're not investing in the technology of the future. Let's make revenue with a gas tax while simultaneously spurring green innovation in a realm which Mr. Obama saved (at a profit to the government) from complete extinction. The auto industry is revived and well and is one industry which could expand hiring, innovation and profits. Why not do this? Maybe because Republicans loathe taxes, but this makes a lot of sense. Perhaps if it were offset by tax breaks for companies that invest in alternative energy...
2) A commitment to improving healthcare. All this talk of repeal is bunk and Republicans know it. Even with a majority in the House, they can't make it happen. BUT, the new healthcare isn't perfect, and it can be reformed. Republicans already have some good ideas about how to do this, most notably with tort reform which will drive down the cost of malpractice insurance, thus eliminating the practice of performing unnecessary tests so as to not get sued.
3) A commitment to stability and accountability. Americans were and are pissed about the bailouts even though they were necessary and ultimately, cost next to nothing (perhaps even making money). Nevertheless, we don't want to be on the hook for bailing out banks and finance companies when they are irresponsible. Voter anger on these issue may have been unfocused and misguided, but it's real and it's legitimate. I don't want to have to bail out the banks ever again. I want a system that is stable, politically and economically, and I want the people running it to be held accountable for their actions. I think Democrats, Republicans, and most importantly, the American people, can all agree on that.
So in my opinion, we've taken a step in the wrong direction, but this is America and Republicans aren't stupid. The American public wants results and the onus is on both parties to deliver. Maybe these elections will serve as a wake-up call to everyone involved, and we can start enacting policy to put America back on the path it's been on for the last century, the path of the world's economic and social leader.
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