Post-Election Reflections

Marijuana aficionados, Marriage Equality proponents, and those who care about women's choices remaining in the hands/decisions/minds of women, won in the USA elections last night. (See all Newz Websites for details on all of the above.) The re-election of Barack Obama came as more of a relief than a jump-up-and-down High Fiver – although that activity happened – to many of us who want to believe that Moving Forward, Not Back, on Social Issues, will allow the country to pull out from under its recent trend toward disenfranchisement of anyone who isn't a White Man/Woman Full Of Radical Conservative Views.

The victory of Progressive Values will still be a point of contention between the GOP and the Democrats; however, with the addition of more women winning Senate Seats – and of "Liberal" leanings – is a positive sign that The GOP-controlled House will not have its way with an Open Check To Deck Rational Thought. As pundits are blathering together today, Obama and The Senate will have to step-up their game to avoid the extreme obstructionism we have witnessed since 2010.

During his Victory Speech, Obama mentioned – once again – how he wants to work in a Bipartisan Way, "reaching out" to the Other Side Of The Aisle. I say "Good Luck." The same tactics that didn't work while he attempted to compromise with The Wild-Eyed Crazies won't work. A new way has to be discovered. If not, I expect – demand – that Obama pull out of his Uber-Civilized Mode and crush the Obstructionism in whatever Legal Way a President of the United States can. So, Barack, shine those sabers and Get To Work!

What about the economy? Jobs? Infrastructure? It HAS been getting better regardless of the Naysayers. Slow, but sure. In those areas, Obama's policies have to be stronger, aggressive, to speed the process along. I like how he handled Hurricane Super Storm Sandy by staying in contact with the mayors and governors of the states and cities affected by the mess. That is how one leads. Direct Contact. Availability. Doing what a Leader does, which is – Lead. Let's see that kind of spirit in Resolving Problems with employment obstacles in states with the most difficulty in that area – on both sides of that creaky "aisle." What NJ Gubner Chris Christie did – praise The President for Being There for New Jersey – is a perfect example of what happens when people put politics aside to fix problems.

And as far as the dissing of The Red Cross not getting to several of the devastated areas of the storm fast enough, it appears to me that they did the best they could with an increasingly dwindling group of volunteers. As the Romney's and Ryan's and others of this world believe, remember that they always suggest The Community and Churches come forward to aid the displaced. and not depend on government help. Yes, the people do come together during disasters and churches open their doors. No one organization or community can fix all that comes after natural disasters; therefore, everyone has a responsibility to help (if able) as an adjunct to an organization such as the Red Cross. Perhaps in the future, more people with time on their hands and a willing heart will volunteer. The hurricanes, "Super Storms" and so on will not cease to disrupt towns/cities/states/countries. As the earth continues its Climate Change we need a stronger, larger Disaster Relief system involving private and public resources in an efficient, very organized manner...everywhere.

More than anything, this country needs to come to terms with its racial diversity. It's a New America from the one Our Founders created. However, the desire of The New Land laid out in The Constitution (inviting peoples of all backgrounds to come here and begin anew) has not changed. The Framers had their flaws with regard to Slaves and how they perceived women's non-rights…it's not that they were Completely Enlightened Human Beings back in the 1700's…but they had the "right idea." Now we have many countries' "Tired and Poor" – thus, many ethnic changes. The Tea Party and General Conservatives seem to believe in their hearts that America "should" be Totally White and 100% Christian, which has fueled their hatred for Obama and anyone who is a threat to what those people believe is "Un-American." Sorry, guys. God is God no matter how one frames it. Humans are Humans no matter what colour. If "they" can't get behind that, then perhaps THEY are the ones who need to leave the country and build their Whites-And-Christians-Only island somewhere – or grow up and find out what the word "Tolerance" means.

Thanks to all who voted –  you exercised Your Right – whether Conservative or Liberal. A special kudos to those who waited in horribly long, frustrating lines to place a ballot in the face of Blatant Voter Fraud/Obstruction/Dirty Tricks by the GOP – the very ones who cried "Voter Fraud" as the excuse to disenfranchise clearly Democratic districts. I am showing my tolerance for their intolerance by not calling them names – at least today.

We all have much to learn, don't we?

Congratulations to Barack Obama for hanging-in. And a nod to Mitt Romney on his gracious Concession Speech.

Image via:  http://www.lmcc-tv.org