Republican Over-Reach May Energize The Left For 2012

This last Tuesday was an off year election that produced some challenges for conservatives. In a number of states, attempts by Republicans to solidify their agenda against the middle class met some serious push back. In Arizona, State Senate President Russell Pearce author of the states hard line immigration law was ousted in a recall election. In Maine, voters repealed a law requiring voters to enroll at least two days before an election, restoring a four-decade policy of allowing registrations as late as Election Day. In big red Mississippi, a measure to declare life at the point of conception was defeated, in the pro-life lobby's most recent attempt to undermine Roe v. Wade. The measure not only would have made abortion illegal in all circumstances, it would have seriously hindered couples seeking a family through invetro-fertilisation, as well as other similar technologies. Finally, in Ohio the vote Tuesday night to repealed a Republican-backed law that restricted collective bargaining for public workers, was a victory for Democrats and labor organizers both nationally and in the state. Issue 2 as it was known, was repealed by a whopping 62 to 38 percent. New challenges for the right lie ahead. In Wisconsin, Republican Governor Scott Walker will be facing a recall election shortly after the first of the year, after his attack on public employees and labor there. Earlier this year 2 Republican State Senators were recalled, one short of Democrats retaking control of the legislature.

If any of this portends a message, I'd say people are tired of being dumped on by the big money interests that are the driving force behind Republican efforts. The increased tensions in cities large and small nationwide, perpetuated by the "Occupy" movement has led to increased clashes with police, and lets say some weak attempts to poison the movement by some local government officials. I think it fair to say the "Occupy" movement is here to stay, and the longer it stays, the more focus it will bring to the rights attempts to keep stepping on the neck of the middle class.

The Republican field for President doesn't help matters. You have Herman Cain who is fighting sexual harassment allegations. Mitt Romney who has covered every side of every issue, which undermines his political integrity on every issue. Rick Perry who can't remember his own talking points in a debate, goes hunting on his "niggerhead ranch" and with each passing breath reveals himself as the clueless rube he really is. Newt Gingrich who thinks he's the intellectual leader of the conservative world, with the moral integrity of a man who walks away from his dying wife with cancer. Michelle Bachmann whose whole campaign is repeal Obamacare. Their base cheers executions, cheers letting uninsured people die, boos gay soldiers on active duty, and boos women who bring sexual harassment claims against their candidates. The whole group is completely out of touch with reality. They lie away the facts, back up there policy ideas with bogus information, and as a party since 2010, have effectively shut down the legislative branch of government. Will somebody tell me what the appeal is here? At any rate the mood of the country is shifting, and it's not in their direction, the people are fed up... and it's about time.