Tuesday was interesting.
Americans proved that they still know how to send a message. They didn’t need social media or a podcaster to tell them what to do. They simply went to the polls.
Americans were frustrated, angry, insulted, and they responded. Democrats took control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, flipping seats in states that Republicans assumed were locks. And Americans weren’t just mad at Congress. Several Republican-held governorships also changed hands.
I’m not celebrating the results because of Democratic wins – well, maybe a little – but I’m proud that Americans across party-lines have finally stood up to tell their representatives that what they are doing is not all right. Occupying the White House should mean more than construction plans and retribution. Voters have limits. You’re supposed to be making our lives better.
Voters told you Tuesday to get on with it.
They said, with their ballots, that they don’t like the cruelty. They told us they’ve had it with the corruption and grifting by those in power. They condemned the name-calling, the finger-pointing, the unnecessary war, the inflation, and the racism.
They denounced violence in the streets by masked men in plainclothes and unmarked cars, against some people with no criminal record. They were upset that ballrooms and reflecting pools get more attention than healthcare costs and casualties of war.
In summary, voters told their representatives to quit telling us that everything is wonderful when we know differently.
Remember all those promises? Voters did. And they provided their mid-term grade, which didn’t reflect well on the guy who claims to know more than anyone about everything.
For two years, we’ve seen political loyalty become more important than qualifications, personal grievances become government priorities, and accountability as a trait reserved for everyone except the people in charge.
And through it all, we’ve been told that we’re witnessing the greatest administration in American history. Really? Voters disagreed. They didn’t want to hear their leader boast about how smart he is while telling them they’re stupid. We know there’s a B in DUMB. The offensive part is that Trump thinks we don’t. Being able to recognize a giraffe, and spell dumb, doesn’t qualify anyone for Mensa.
But, what now? Democrats are adept at fumbling their good fortune. I feared that Democrats would do something to self-destruct in this election. They didn’t. So, now I fear they’ll take their good fortune and squander it. Now is the time to do something.
I want to help them. I actually like seeing our elected leaders succeed. It’s better for all of us when they do. So, here goes. Suggestions follow.
First, do not go after Donald Trump the day after you get sworn in. Sure, hold him and his team accountable, but another impeachment is a waste of time. It will turn the positivity that got you elected into, “they’re just like the other guys.” Resist it. Do legislation and oversight that helps your constituents. Don’t be “like the other guys.”
Instead, bring ideas to make our lives better. If you do that, and Trump vetoes it, that’s on him. And if your GOP peers in Congress don’t override, they’ll have to answer for it, while it’s campaign fodder for you.
Here are a few examples.
· Restore health insurance subsidies that were taken away in the last year. Many Americans are paying premiums that have doubled or tripled and they need help. You’ll be doing something good. See how Republicans respond.
· Take meaningful steps to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. These programs face serious long-term funding challenges and millions of Americans depend on them. Those folks deserve solutions rather than political promises. Propose something meaningful and you may see Republicans willing to work with you.
· Release the remaining Epstein files, protect the victims’ identities, and dare your opponents to oppose transparency.
· Stop the arch, keep Trump’s name off the Kennedy Center and other buildings, and point out the costs, economically, aesthetically, and politically. We are $40 trillion in debt so ask the tough questions about our priorities, such as, “Do we need this?” or “Should we do this?”
· Demand an end to the unpopular Iran War. Stop the killing and reduce our costs. Who would oppose that?
Democrats need to demonstrate that they can govern, not simply oppose. They need to offer solutions, not just investigations. And they need to remember that voters who are unhappy with Republicans are not overly thrilled with Democrats.
Democrats have been given an opportunity, not permission. Two years isn’t far away, and voters are looking for competent leadership; ask Darlene Graham or Ken Paxton about that.
I don’t know if Tuesday’s results will produce better government. That’s now up to the people that were elected to do the job. But at least we have seen that Americans still care about decency, honesty, accountability, and the basic idea that public service is supposed to be about serving the public.
Whatever the motivation, voters delivered a message Tuesday. Let’s hope the candidates heard it.
Curt MacRae is a resident of Coldwater, MI and publishes opinion columns regularly.
To be notified by email when a column is published, or to offer feedback: rantsbymac@gmail.com
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