.going blue.

oh the joy of last night. i spent all night watching MSNBC and keeping track online with CNN's election results (did anyone else notice the serious decline in Fox News' election coverage?) and updating Speakeasy's election results.

there weren't many surprises, especially locally, but the highlights:
- governor strickland
- congressman brown
- issue2: minimum wage $6.85
- issue 5: smoking banned
- democrats officially took control of the house, setting up nancy pelosi (ca) to be the first female speaker of the house



currently, the senate is 50/50 (each party has 49 seats), with two left to be decided - virginia (which i am shocked has turned around since earlier in the night) and montana - both of which are leaning slightly democrat. there will be recounts for sure, especially in virginia. but i'm crossing my fingers. and toes, eyes, etc.



i'm actually not a true "party person." am i liberal? without a doubt, especially by today's definition. it's a shame the stigma that's been attached to that word in the past 10 years. but as far as rooting strictly for democrats or republicans - no. i have many problems with the two-party system. we were warned about it, but we still let it define every aspect of our government, and consequently we spend too much time bickering over the small things and not enough time concentrating on the major issues that affect American citizens. most Americans are moderate, or align themselves somewhere in the middle of the political spectrum, but, especially as of late, our polices and practices haven't representated this. i think we've finally started to realize it.

and now something has been done.

i am not partisan. my beliefs align mostly with the democrats, but i don't "cheer for the home team" and vote straight tickets, especially just to do so. but i'm estatic that they have taken over. the republican party has strayed way too off course, and the only way to counteract that is to let them know it's not okay.

the people have spoken. regardless of whether the dems take the senate right out (i have a feeling it will at least be split down the middle, which of course gives republicans the edge because of cheney's vote, but whatev), the message is clear. you better start paying attention.


xoxo.m