This election seemed like a turning point to me, and was the start of many new beginnings. Many have focused on the issues that were up for vote in this past election, and those resolutions which passed such as legalizing marijuana in two states. But what about the faces of politics itself? One can question whether representatives in office have become just figure heads at this point, or whether they still have true power but one thing is for certain: these faces are changing. This past election was a success story in the fight for gender, sexual orientation, and disability equality in government. We had a record number of women elected to office, including the first openly gay senator and an Iraq War Veteran who is a double amputee. Even at a state level, this election saw the election of the first ever openly transgender individual to a statewide office.
The tides are shifting in respect to who citizens what to represent them, and it seems they are shifting in a progressive direction which matches many other industrialized nations. We as a nation have stood stagnant for far too long, represented only by rich white men, so I for one welcome this change. I also wonder, what else do we have in store for the face of politics moving forward? What do you think?
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Agree with you on the trend toward less physical homogeny in public office, and I also hope the change is more than a visual one, more than just a change in faces.
Agreed!
Libertarianism – its time is fast approaching. Small government, elimination of laws that restrict, promotion of equality for all– THAT is the hope for the future. Extremists that want to control what we eat, drive, throw away, think on the left, or who we marry and mate with on the right, are the ones that are losing out. That’s a very heartening trend.
I, for one, am very pleased that we have elected to posts individuals who are not part of the “good old boys” fraternity. Somewhat off the subject, I am hoping, beyond hope that climate issues become central in the push for change. Without that issue, the other issues may become moot.
Michael, I am just curious about something. Do you believe that some restrictions on food, waste, and emit into the atmosphere via transportation is extremist? I for one feel that we need some regulation to these things, as they are damaging ourselves and the environment. It’s not to say that we need control but we need something. I agree with Judy’s sentiment that if we don’t in some respect focus on the issue of health and the environment then all the rest of it is going to be irrelevant to tackle.
Yes, dictating to people what they may eat, how they sort their trash, what they may drive are features of a totalitarian society when taken to certain extremes. Educating people on how they impact themselves is fine- it leaves the choices up to them. Laws restricting on how my choices impact you are fine, too- that’s historically been a part of common law. Driving a car that has working brakes, for instance, is a general safety issue- that makes sense. But their are extremists on the left that push for outlawing animal foods, gasoline engines, use of disposable bags, defense of private property, etc. Just as their are extremists on the righ that push to outlaw homosexuality, teaching evolution, etc.
In all things, there must be a balance. This election was proof that extreme positions will sway enough of the electorate make or break presidents. Romney lost in large part due to right wing extremists speaking up, while the left extremists were mostly silent. If OWS had actively particpated in campaign, election may have gone quite differently.