(Stephen Allott) – There have already been numerous theories and analyses delivered in the wake of the historic election Tuesday evening. And historic, it was.
Across the nation, the Republicans have now been provided with an opportunity to show they will handle things differently. We must trust they have learned the errors made in 2000 – 2006 when those in power embarked on a reckless spending spree. Hopefully they will now govern responsibly – and effectively.
For on Tuesday evening, by any measure, the Democrats took a brutal hammering.
Almost lost in the number of Senate, Congressional and Gubernatorial races won by the Republicans, was the fact that an extraordinary number of seats were gained in the state legislatures. The Republicans picked up 114 state Senate seats and a whopping 432 Assembly seats nationwide.
The American people spoke – and they spoke clearly and decisively. In so doing, they made a statement at all levels of government. They were not happy with the status quo and have demanded serious change.
The people spoke out against the actions – or lack thereof – of President Obama regarding his ignominious handling of the ISL crisis, Ebola, and the un-detained flooding of immigrants from South America. They rejected the constant and excessive use of ‘executive powers’ in which this President has engaged. For even after the Supreme Court ( in a rare unanimous verdict) ruled that the President had exceeded his authority with his recess appointments, our Commander-in-Chief continued to trample on the constitution by circumventing the legislative process in modifying the Affordable Care Act and other laws, as he deemed appropriate.
The administration which promised us the ‘most transparent in our history’ has turned stonewalling into a fine art. Whether it be the IRS scandal, Fast & Furious or Benghazi, the administration has thwarted investigations at every turn. The lack of candor, contempt and accountability has surely been unparalleled.
Furthermore, they have found willing accomplices through their colleagues in the House and Senate.
Soon to be Senate Minority Leader, Harry Reid, has failed to bring much of the House passed legislature to the floor. He has stifled amendments (allowing Republicans a paltry 4 since July of 2013!) . Instead, Senator Reid has (ab)used his position to demonize the Koch brothers and brought other partisan trivialities on the floor of the Senate. Does anyone believe this is what our Founding Fathers envisioned?
At the local level in Nevada, Democrat Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick advised she would consider seating Assembly candidate Meghan Smith, whose very candidacy was ruled illegal by Judge Nancy Alff. That a candidate who broke the law when filing for office would actually be considered fit to take a seat in the Assembly and pass laws for the rest of us to follow when ignoring the laws herself, is as incomprehensible as it is reprehensible. That this notion would even be contemplated shows nothing but a flagrant disregard for the electorate – and for our constitution.
There are assuredly numerous other reasons why the public turned on the Democrats this past election.
All of the above certainly contributed toward the repudiation.
Above all, Tuesday’s election was a repudiation of arrogance.
