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Sweeping the Ticker Tape
Nov. 8th, 2006 07:24 am
So, Decision '06 is over. Democrats have taken a majority in the Governor's Mansion, and the House of Representatives. Two very close races in the Senate have yet to be decided, but every one I've been able to check has the Dems leading those by a slim margin. It's looking very good that they'll be taking the Legislative Branch for the next two years.
Most people seem to be either relieved or cautious or drained or...*shudder*...apathetic. And while it's true that we have a very long way to go in seeing ourselves out of this political situation, I have to say let us take pleasure in the fact that...at least this is a step in the right direction. We have a way to provide a check to the office of President now.
I won't pretend the next two years are going to be milk and honey. The Democratic Party still lacks a unified front on many issues (will someone *please* stand up and say writing discrimination into state constitutions is wrong?) and a lot of them have simply used the "Hey, we're not Republicans!" line to get themselves voted in. Now that they have a certain amount of power, I hope to see someone in the party take the reigns and start *doing* something with it. They were voted in because people want to see a change in the way our government's been handling things for the last six years. So start changing them.
For now, though, let's have at least one day of celebration. :) *pops the sparkling cider!*
One of the biggest things I've noted about voting in California is how much more...intense the whole process is. A few weeks before the election a voter information pamphlet is mailed to you, detailing a lot of the races that don't get TV exposure (like the Mayor's race and education posts) and all of the measures and propositions that are up for ballot. Businesses offer you free stuff if you can show proof of voting, and apparently there's a law that says there must be a polling place within every half-mile on election day. Even neighbor's garages can be set up as polling places!
Despite the fact that you could practically vote on the sidewalks and freeways, it took Tube and I an hour to get through the line for voting. The volunteer said the turnout was way up this year, which is encouraging, and it's nice to hear that everyone back in Arkansas went out to vote as well. :) Hutchinson was voted out as Governor, woo hoo!!
Beyond that, there hasn't been terribly much of interest going on. Except...last night I got to talk to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sparky_d and he was good enough to invite us over to his place in NV for a day or two. We even get to meet his wife and parents! And the flight over there is going to be...an experience. I'm excited enough to get over my fear of flying for this, even.
Next week, we'll be road-tripping down the coast to seetheottsel and clipfox and geddcoon, and go to Disneyland. Hooray! Traveling rocks. :D
Most people seem to be either relieved or cautious or drained or...*shudder*...apathetic. And while it's true that we have a very long way to go in seeing ourselves out of this political situation, I have to say let us take pleasure in the fact that...at least this is a step in the right direction. We have a way to provide a check to the office of President now.
I won't pretend the next two years are going to be milk and honey. The Democratic Party still lacks a unified front on many issues (will someone *please* stand up and say writing discrimination into state constitutions is wrong?) and a lot of them have simply used the "Hey, we're not Republicans!" line to get themselves voted in. Now that they have a certain amount of power, I hope to see someone in the party take the reigns and start *doing* something with it. They were voted in because people want to see a change in the way our government's been handling things for the last six years. So start changing them.
For now, though, let's have at least one day of celebration. :) *pops the sparkling cider!*
One of the biggest things I've noted about voting in California is how much more...intense the whole process is. A few weeks before the election a voter information pamphlet is mailed to you, detailing a lot of the races that don't get TV exposure (like the Mayor's race and education posts) and all of the measures and propositions that are up for ballot. Businesses offer you free stuff if you can show proof of voting, and apparently there's a law that says there must be a polling place within every half-mile on election day. Even neighbor's garages can be set up as polling places!
Despite the fact that you could practically vote on the sidewalks and freeways, it took Tube and I an hour to get through the line for voting. The volunteer said the turnout was way up this year, which is encouraging, and it's nice to hear that everyone back in Arkansas went out to vote as well. :) Hutchinson was voted out as Governor, woo hoo!!
Beyond that, there hasn't been terribly much of interest going on. Except...last night I got to talk to
sparky_d and he was good enough to invite us over to his place in NV for a day or two. We even get to meet his wife and parents! And the flight over there is going to be...an experience. I'm excited enough to get over my fear of flying for this, even. Next week, we'll be road-tripping down the coast to see
theottsel and clipfox and geddcoon, and go to Disneyland. Hooray! Traveling rocks. :D
