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 Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:32 pm
I attended a Republican Party out in Irvine last Tuesday to watch the election results. It wasn't the prettiest thing. Over the course of the night I watched incumbent after incumbent fall to their Democrat challenger. Senate, House, Governorships...I watched every lost race. It played out on one of the two 12-foot screens to either side of a central podium. It may not mean much to those outside California, but I even watched as my state voted to take out a $40 B-b-billion bond measure that would ensure our junk bond status and make it certain that my grandchildren will be paying for my generation's gluttony.
Worst of all I watched that wolf in sheep's clothing, Arnold Schwarzenegger, cruise to an unbelievable win against a near-socialist Democrat opponent. I couldn't help thinking we have re-elected a Manchurian candidate. He only does what will keep him popular, even if that means touting the aforementioned bond measure. Yes, I know what you're thinking...that's what all politicians are like. But when Arnold came to power in the recall, I actually believed we were getting a replay of Ronald Reagan. But that's not to be. The man wouldn't even lend some of his aura to help get better-qualified candidates down-ticket elected. And to think Republicans just bent over for the man...that hurts the most, the fact that we just let our candidates do whatever they want without repurcussions. And now that Arnold knows he will pay no price for his duplicity, I fear what the next two years will bring before Governor Villaraigossa. Is it any shock that the California Democratic Party and the unions didn't do anything major to force Schwarzenegger from power?
But the night wasn't all depressing. About 10pm I ran into Jim Gilchrist...yes, the Minuteman Gilchrist. I'd met him once before, when he wasn't the national lightning rod he is nowadays. I had the benefit of talking to him for fifteen minutes, asking questions, and generally having a good time. I came out of it having even more respect for the man then I normally do. I think I'm going to double my donations to his group...at least he does something effective with what he has.
In retrospect, I'm not upset about the Republican defeat. I realize that the GOP of 2006 isn't the party of '94, when the Perot Revolution forced the Republicans to rethink their agenda. However, the GOP lost...lost something...around the time of the Clinton impeachment. This defeat is only the final slap in the face to wake the GOP up. It needs to return to its '94 roots...more fiscal conservatism, less social conservatism. Yes, I am slightly conservative socially, but I care more about my pocketbook. I hope that someone can rebuild the GOP...we need a real leader right about now.
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:08 pm
I really have no idea what will happen now that the Democrats have control. What I fear is that they will execute the plan to pull troops out of Iraq, which is really not needed. What Iraq needs is more troops, not fewer. I am starting to think that Iraq will become the next Vietnam because we'll prevent ourselves from winning. We lack the backbone that we had in World War 2. Why aren't we willing to fight like we used to? No one seems to have the value of sacrifice anymore.
Oh, but listen to me prattle on. I hope that the Dems won't do something so stupid, but I really don't know. I know that's what Howard Dean wants them to do.
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:27 pm
I wouldn't be too worried about the national level policy, Dubya's still got veto power.
But yeah, state issues are gonna suck for awhile...
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