2006 Midterm Election Reflux

We really did gut the country. The might and industry, the best and worst of our manpower, and the greatest technology and power in the world--we invaded Iraq, we occupied the country at a cost of billions of dollars, and several hundred thousand human lives lost. "What you mean 'We,' kimmosabe?" as the old joke goes when the Lone Ranger tells Tonto "We're surrounded by Indians." It wasn't "we." It was Bush, and Rumsfeld, and Rice and Wolfowitz, and the evil Penguin, Cheney.

No--as Pogo said, "We met the enemy, and he is us." Voters, citizens, Americans, neighbors, friends, family--we were AFRAID. We saw the 9/11 atrocities on our TV's and we heard "Fight them over there before they come here to fight us." And "we" was wrong. George W. got the free pass and he went to work with his cronies fulfilling some warped dream of beachhead in the Middle East or revenge for Daddy Bush's mission "un" accomplished or whatever. I always thought it was an oil family's subconscious dream-come-true: overlord of the richest fossil fuel deposits in the world. See grandpa Prescott--we're still rich!

But I underestimated the conglomerate American mind to see through this dictatorial BS and overcome the mounting stonewall of George W "I don't care if only Laura and my dog back me--it's full speed ahead..." down the drainhole of Iraq.

I say underestimate, because tonight, as the results of the midterm election pour in, it is clear that the change of heart from incumbent Republican business-as-usual, to let's give change and the democrats a shot, is a real referendum on the policy of Iraq occupation, as well as foreign policy in general by this thought-bankrupt presidential administration.

How do I know this? Because Americans are very interested, concerned, in fact obsessed, with their well-being, and reports of the economy reflect that well-being. Reports show the economy is in good shape right now--why wouldn't Americans want to maintain the status quo and not shake the boat under these happy circumstances, and why would they want to replace incumbent republican representatives with democrats, when their well-being seems to be in good hands? Evidently, Americans don't like hearing bad news every day--they don't like seeing their tax money going into a wasteful venture; they don't like seeing people dying on the news every day. That's how the Vietnam war ended--Americans had enough.

Today, the voters sent the same message to the politicians--they've had enough. They didn't vote out of fear, but out of frustration. It's a very clear message. Bush may not get it, nor may any of his cadre. It would be good if he did see a little of the light--any work toward a common goal with a common purpose will attain greater results than trying to blindly run a course alone.

I had the opportunity to speak with Steve Young tonight at his campaign celebration in Irvine. As noted here, he is the democratic candidate for congress in the heavily-republican 48th distract of California where I reside. I congratulated him on his positive message of non-partisan constructive work toward common goals. That's the element missing in politics about which the voters are sending the message around the country.

Make no mistake about it--either way, whether Bush decides to compromise and cooperate, or continue the intraction and stonewalling--the people have spoken through the sacred ballot, non-violently, and with a true voice. The angels can hear it--maybe they will send the word to the White House.