Wednesday Reads

Good Morning! 

Welcome to Gridlock! It wasn’t an election sweep by Republicans but it wasn’t a great show by the Democratic party either. We know a few things: Agent Orange will be the House Speaker and the Senate Democratic majority has narrowed. A few good ones have fallen (e.g. Russ Feingold). A few bad ones are in (e.g. Rand Paul). And I will be less hobbled when the mighty FEDEX fleet arrives at my front door today to deliver a new harddrive for my computer and a new BlackBerry to replace the one with the dead expensive battery. Other than that, just like SCOTUS, every thing will depend on the very few folks that are willing to work to find middle ground.

Consensus can be so elusive in a democracy.

Here’s the take about the House take over from MSNBC.

Still, the returns signaled a hurricane of voter discontent with Obama and Democrats in general, as Americans delivered their verdict on the president’s far-reaching health care law and economic relief efforts.

You can only imagine what kind of images the word hurricane brings to my mind. I listened last night to the future Speaker’s remarks that represent the worst of voodoo economics. We’re in a fragile economy and thinking that a few tax cuts for the wealthy is going to heal the economy is craziness. The deficit will heal only when the economy is strong. The economy will be strong when wages are strong and the job market is strong. That’s the ‘real’ economy. Banks are just a pass through. If the Dem’s hadn’t taken their eye of the ball, the return of voodoo economics to the house would have been an impossibility.

That is all.

I know I said that my overwhelming feel was that all politics is local, but I have to admit that the loss of Senator Russ Feingold makes me very sad. So much for thinking there were a few places where reason prevailed.

Feingold, one of the most liberal members of the Senate, had trailed much of the race. He was challenged by Johnson, a businessman, over his support for President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul, and over government spending.

It’s not the size that matters. It’s the future growth. It’s the interest rate. It’s the state of the economy. Deficits are relative. Deficits come from many things. Balanced Budgets are not the holy grail. You shouldn’t overspend in a good economy and you shouldn’t underspend during a bad economy. I’m not sure why so many folks that think they are pro-commerce believe they know best when their economic ideology is ruled by flawed concepts, but I do know that until most politicians come in with some economic knowledge under their belt, we’re doomed.

With all the election weirdness last night, there is one bright spot: Lexington Kentucky elected its first openly gay mayor. They may have cursed us with Rand Paul as a senator, but some parts of Kentucky see the future.

Kentucky’s second-largest city has elected an openly gay man as its next mayor. Vice-Mayor Jim Gray was victorious tonight in his second campaign for the city’s top job, beating incumbent Mayor Jim Newberry.

“This is a tremendous victory for Lexington, for Kentucky’s LGBT community and for fairness. We are proud of Jim Gray and his fantastic campaign staff who fought hard for this win,” said Chuck Wolfe, Victory Fund’s president and CEO.

So, my next big question is this. Since Democrats will keep control of the Senate, what does this mean for Senate Majority Leader?  Harry Reid returns to the Senate.  Can we assume he will continue his role? 

On a personal note, I’d like to mention that Skydancing is evolving. Two weeks ago, I looked at this as nothing more than my file cabinet. It’s now becoming a real team effort and a real community effort. The bounty of community is something I respect, appreciate, and cherish. No matter the differences or distances, there is always something we can learn from each other. Thank you for your support, your voice, and your friendship. I wish BostonBoomer and her mom a safe trip to Indiana and I look forward to a valued voice from a respected   happy friend. She has challenged me to stand up for what I believe in during times when going along seemed the easy path. She’s one strong woman and she has a voice of wisdom. When she speaks, I listen. I am so pleased that she will continue to share her voice wiith all of us. She’s got mad research skills and I’m anxiously waiting to learn more from her. 

(Also, I just wanted you to know that I appreciate all the tips and I’m sharing it with BB just so you know. We’ve been a team for awhile and I owe a lot to her guidance. So, after some thought I  felt that any donations to skydancing shoud be team donations.)

Okay … let’s just say when the hard drive comes in, the sharing will increase. I will be much more able to search out things so, today I am relying on community and friends! The presentation went fine. I’m sleeping in late but I know you all will make it work!

So, what lessons do you think were learned last night? What messages were sent?

Does it change anything?

What’s on your reading and blogging list this morning?