Election Recap by Erin

Yesterday, Americans voted and highlighting the elections were widespread democratic defeats. The biggest issue in the elections in Missouri was taxation. There were ballot issues in the state that attempted to eliminate earnings taxes in urban areas and prohibits taxes for properties that change hands. Both passed with overwhelming majorities. Both campaigns fought on the basis of "no taxes" without any sort of ideas on how to replace the expected loss revenue. Why is there a "taxes are bad" mentality in the United States right now? Taxes fund roads, schools, police, and firefighters. It seems as if people expect these services to pay for themselves or at least for someone of a different socio-economic class to take on the burden of the taxes they do not wish to pay. In my opinion, this a large problem America is facing: we expect world class services without paying world class taxes. For decades, we have been receiving services that are beyond our means. Ballot issues like those in Missouri show an unwillingness to pay for them and also an unwillingness to give things up. Our expectations have gotten completely out of control.

The election of Republican Senator Roy Blunt over Democrat Robin Carnahan in Missouri mirrors many other elections in the United States. I found myself, like many other Democrats, disappointed in the candidate. Her ads were negative, her words were uninspired, and I found myself haphazardly supporting her because she was "the best of the worst". Roy Blunt on the other hand gained support in appealing to the anger of voters over their economic situations. He won-by a lot. The Tea Party seems to have adopted a similar strategy. They speak about past failures and get people enraged about the current political system. It's been successful...and it's what is wrong with the political system. Voters yesterday did not vote based on issues or a strong candidate. Instead of placing a vote FOR someone, their vote was cast AGAINST someone. The congress we have elected is not working towards fixing problems, but is now working to satisfy the emotions of voters. To be fair, this is hardly new and not at all a partisan issue: Democrats have done it before. However, the depth of this anger in so many elections was so deep that I find myself concerned. People neglected the issues and disregarded facts. Anger has turned into complete ignorance in some and if it continues, we will find our country controlled by some of the most negative and outrageous people. If Barack Obama had one thing right, it is that hope is the key. Hope unites people and it did just that in 2008. This anger and the Tea Party movement are tearing us apart.

Last night, I realized that our country is in dire need of a change. That change is not a Democratic majority of a Republican majority but it is a change in mindset. It is a change in the thinking that "taxes are bad". It is a change that turns anger and divisions into trying to solve problems together. The results-and the last 4 or so months-showed that we aren't there yet, but if we communicate and acknowledge the good in ideas and values different than our own, we may get there.