Happy Days Are Here Again

I have been accused of being overly optimistic. While conceding the optimistic part, I reject the overly description as an impossibility. But that’s just me. I have to admit that my optimism ebbed for a few hours last night as the election returns rolled in, to be replaced this morning by some disappointment, but with renewed optimism. Spending the evening with like-minded friends reminded me that friendships are truly priceless, and God is in control. (Thanks, Karen, Dave, ...)

The primary source of my disappointment was the strong antipathy to President Bush that was voiced in the exit polls. I believe he is a good and courageous man, and find it sad that most Americans don’t seem to see him that way. I worry more about our troops in the war and our safety here at home.

That’s about as much negativism as I can gin up, so now I’ll look at the silver lining, beginning with the Pelosi economy. For several years since the Clinton recession, our surging economy (Dow 12,000+, full employment, real after tax income up sharply) has been denied by the media and the Democrats. But now, if only the Dems don’t do something stupid, the continued economic growth will be touted. Happy days are here again!

I was particularly happy about Joe Lieberman’s Senate victory over the anti-war Dem candidate. My joy will be complete if Joe decides to switch to the GOP.

Several states approved ballot measures restricting government use of eminent domain and bans on same-sex marriage, thus supporting important conservative principles.

And among the Dem congressional winners were several who should be considered Blue Dog Democrats, who are social and economic conservatives, pro-life and strong supporters of gun rights. Several also have military backgrounds. The Dem newcomers join the 37 Blue Dogs in the House and Lieberman in the Senate. (Freshman Blue Dogs in the House are known as "Blue Pups.") In 2005, the members of the Blue Dog Coalition voted 32 to 3 in favor of the bill to limit access to bankruptcy protection. These guys are not Pelosi-Reed Democrats.

Aside from the socialist strongholds, politicians who espouse conservative positions win a lot more than they lose. A recent CNN poll found that 54 percent of Americans believe government is doing too much while only 37 percent want government to do more.

On the state level I am happy about Arnie’s re-election. He is a semi-RINO but immensely better that the Dem loser.

I am also pleased that the electorate rejected the oil tax (Prop 87) in spite of strong support for it by Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Julia Roberts.

But most important was the strong support of Jessica’s law (Prop 83) that was approved with 71% of the vote. I was infuriated by opposition to it by a local city councilman who warned that all the pedophiles were going to move to Palos Verdes and by the la times that opposed lifetime GPS monitoring of child sex predators (too harsh for the now fired editor Dean Baquet).

Finally it is important to note that last night was not a defeat for conservatism; it was a defeat for Republicanism, the party of the Bridge to Nowhere. Senator Tom Coburn (R –OK) said it well:

“One of the great paradoxes in politics is that governing to maintain power is the surest way to lose it. Republicans have the ideas to solve our greatest challenges. If we focus on ideas, our majority status will take care of itself.”