Well, to start any GOP victory is wrong for me because it just means more obstruction to change and a step backwards for progress.
But what is really troubling about the GOP performance in VA and NJ is that GOP candidates were successful in singing a mermaid song to convince a group of independents that tea baggers, birthers, deathers, nativists, the Sara Palins, Limbaughs and Becks has nothing to do with them. They were successful in making voters in VA and NJ think that these extreme elements of the conservative movement have nothing to do and DO NOT represent the Republican Party.
By voting Republican these independents apparently think they are getting mainstream elected officials that actually care for the poor, workers, middle class, women and disabled. They apparently think that these GOP governors will cooperate to help the unemployed and bring health care reform to their states. By voting Republican these independents think that a Republican in office is better for them under the Obama administration than a Democrat.
What I see is the usual political game where if you don't like Democrats, then you vote Republican and viceversa.
The People still do not realize that it is not really about voting for Republicans or Democrats, but for which philosophy toward people is best for them.
Conservatives believe that poor people are a necessary evil who exist only to serve the upper class and corporations. Conservatives do not really believe in a middle class. Conservatives believe that only rich people deserve the wealth and the rest of us deserve only enough to survive, so we can keep working for the least possible compensation, and beware of complaining.
On the other hand Liberals and Progressives believe in a strong middle class. We believe that poor people deserve help to hopefully lift them up to middle class. We believe that being rich is OK as long as it is done in a socially, environmentally and ethically, responsible manner.
So, this is where the Progressive movement have failed. We have failed in educating people, in helping them understand that elections is not really a matter of political party, but which philosophy and ideology can help them best.
At the end the choice is between the Conservative ideology or Progressive ideology.
We have seen that Conservative means hail the rich and corporations at the expense of the rest of the people; means poisoned air/water/soil; means warmongering, hate, racism, homophobia, torture, murders; means Sarah Palin, Tea Baggers, Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck.
Progressive ideology means social justice, equality, civil rights, defend the constitution; means healthcare for all, higher education for all, good jobs with good benefits; means diplomacy, respect and admiration globally; means green economy, clean environment and safe food.
The choice is obvious; but by looking at the election results tonight in NJ and VA it is still about how the game is played. Ideology does not matter, only who sings the best song.
We have a lot of work to do!
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