Ah hell, I may as well throw in my two cents from the state of Virginia....
I honestly have no clue which path these next two years will take us. If I had to lay bets, I'd say more of the same, but with a brighter spotlight shown on the in-fighting within the Rep party while Cruz and McConnell lock horns. But I'm hoping both sides can just get things done and end all the game playing. No confidence in it, but I'm hoping.
I know I'm in the minority, but I've been happy with the progress made over the past 6 years under Obama. But that's coming from a gay white male who hasn't had any threat of losing his comfy job or benefits during the recession. So, I can't fully understand the economic / social frustration that seems to be permeating out there. I'm in favor of universal healthcare because I have family and friends who simply would never have healthcare without this kind of program. Plus, my mother has been suffering from two different cancers the past five years or so, and has had nearly all of her healthcare paid for through my dad's military health insurance. So in essence, the government has covered that entire bill to keep her alive with us. (She's hardcore Republican btw and hates universal healthcare for everyone ironically. My dad grumbles about serving all those years to get his benefits for him and her, when now the government is just giving it to everyone. Nice.)
AA, from my perspective growing up in the South (Georgia) and living most of my life here in Virginia (mix in 10 years in California), I don't think I'll ever grasp your argument that Republicans will do more for blacks. I guess I understand your feelings that blacks are basically shackled by the institutions currently in place, with no incentive to change their "thuggish" culture. That's fair. I see a lot of that mentality in southern white folk too, though maybe less thuggish and more redneck/white trash. I will say, at least in the older white folks around these parts (most all Republicans), including my own parents sadly, they are racist. Some of the horrible things I hear, they don't even think it's racist. They don't necessarily use the N-word, as that would be going too far, "but those people have the weirdest names" or "those people, notice how they all have a lot of kids, 90% of them are pregnant in high school" and on and on like that. It's all about keeping the status quo for white folk. Believe me, they have zero interest in helping black society get a leg up. But maybe you're saying that Republicans would do it inadvertently by getting rid of welfare and the like. Maybe true. But I don't see any positive steps to help anyone transition away from welfare. Just seems like the plan is to cut off welfare and other benefits with a salute of good luck to you and get a job! as they continue to hoard more and more of the money and power.
My attitude the past 6 years has been one of frustration that the Reps obstructed so strongly no matter what, sacrificing recovery efforts in favor of their power-play game, whether that is ultimately the truth or not. That's just how it all came across to me. Honestly, it all seemed borderline treasonous, for lack of a better word. Still, I'm thankful that the economy was steered back in the right direction and away from full-blown Depression regardless of the impediments put in the way. I don't understand the economic logistics of it all, but I do give credit for Obama's being in the White House during this time to take the steps that have been taken. I was never under any illusion that everything would be completely fixed within his first term. I'm just glad this nation took a chance on Obama's economic recovery plan versus the Republican's plan (whatever that would have been). Again though, that's coming from my point of view, that if they can't even get right the most basic of American tenets (that everyone is created equal), then what faith should I have in any of their other ideas? That critical lack of understanding leaves me with a very large level of skepticism toward the Right. (And don't get me started on Separation of Church & State, good grief.)
In any event, we'll see what these next two years bring us. Reps have a good chance here. Though I'm betting the Braves have a better shot at winning the WS, then the Reps have of ending their game-playing and actually being productive while Obama is still in office.
