More Thoughts On The Recent Election

I posted my initial thoughts about last week's election but realized soon after that there were a number of points I forgot to mention.

Here is a link to that post.

https://wurdsfromtheburbs.blogspot.com/2026/11/election-2026-accountability-finally-3.html

So, first a few updates.

The Alaska and Mississippi Senate races are still uncalled, but it is looking more likely that both will flip blue, which means that next year's Senate will be 56-44. Nine Senate seats flipped!

Conventional wisdom has held that once the ranked choice process begins in Alaska that the GOP incumbent will be the recipient of a majority of those 2nd choices. However, there has been some analysis done concerning those voters whose votes were counted, which shows that Mary Peltola is being chosen as the 2nd option just as much as Senator Sullivan, in addition to the thousands of voters who left their second choice blank.

In the House, 419 seats have been determined, with the Dems holding a 254 to 165 lead. Of the remaining 16 seats, six are leaning Democrat so it is possible that the final count could be 260-175, an 85 seat majority! 

And, as I mentioned in my first post, there may be 30 Democratic governors next year, if indeed the last two races, in Alaska and Kansas, result in Dem victories to make it 7 flipped state leaders.

Clearly then, the blue wave was far more than a wave.

And, of course, after stating that he would accept the election results, DJT is already reverting to election conspiracies to divert the blame from himself, blame which falls squarely on his shoulders. 

I also broached the possibility of impeachment hearings, although I am advocating for the Dems to NOT go down the road of trying to impeach the president, preferring an "ignore him as much as possible" approach.

However, I would like to see hearings which attempt to impeach at least two of his more horrendous cabinet choices, Hegseth and RFK Jr. While it is certainly true that someone even worse could be nominated, it is also likely that having forced resignations (if not outright impeachments) from those two, the Senate will take their oversight and consent duties more seriously when confirming those nominees, resulting in people with some level of competency. 

Sadly, removing those two from office will only stop the damage they have caused to our country. It will take quite a while for the wrongs to be righted, especially those related to the anti-science antics by RFK Jr that have resulted in increased sickness, and even death, from diseases that were previously under control. Many more will suffer the consequences of his conspiracy riddled "science". 

Will the Democrats be able to agree on a path forward that produces results? If past history is a guide, we can be hopeful but not certain, as the makeup of the various Democratic legislators is as varied, demographically, as it is philosophically. Whether they can merge such a range of beliefs, biases, and priorities into a cogent strategy to pull America back from its current cruel and selfish path is not just a challenge, but, perhaps, not even possible, considering the polarization of our nation.

I have experienced my share of "new" bosses in my life, men, mostly, who interpret their new position as a chance to change everything. Sadly, like our current administration, many of them made changes without consulting the workers, and/or did not receive feedback about their decisions with an open mind. The my-way-or-the-highway approach might work in the movies, or might even work for a short while in reality, but after time it gets old. The Democrats will have to be careful that their vision is not just communicated to the American people, but crafted with their input.

A perfect example of what not to do is the immigration policies of the current administration. For the most part, Americans want a controlled border, want those people who wish to share the benefits of our economy to follow the rules of immigration, asylum seeking, etc. But rather than stopping at a secure border, Trump and Miller decided to run rampant through our cities to deport people whose only crime was illegal entry. Rather than providing a path to citizenship for those who have made a life for themselves here, perhaps married, had children, who pay their taxes, form businesses and create jobs, they decided to rip apart families, to scoop up people dropping off their kids at school or even attending immigration hearings, and send them to countries for which they had no affiliation. 

Cruelty in the guise of law enforcement. 

And so, most Americans, understanding the difference between a criminal and a good person who made one mistake, voted against such policies. 

I don't expect soulless people like Steven Miller and DJT to change their tactics. In fact I fear that, despite acknowledging that perhaps their immigration tactics were "too tough", they will double down on their goal of deporting a million people a year for the next two years. Yes, their will be hearings, perhaps even some budget restraints, but bosses like Trump and Miller believe wholeheartedly in their ability to use executive powers to do whatever they wish. To continue my way or the highway, opinions that differ be damned.

I do expect, however, that the Democrats use their newly acquired majorities to focus on policies that 

reduce the influence of money in our elections

reverse the anti-green energy policies that are harming our environment and causing America to fall behind the inevitable move away from fossil fuels

address the Social Security and Medicare funding cliffs ahead

find a path to providing affordable health care to all citizens

reduce the cost of homes for our children and grandchildren

fix our broken immigration system

address the cost of food, energy, healthcare

end the Iran "war"  

repair our traditionally favorable relationships with the other democracies in the world

reign in the slaughter of the Palestinian people

fully support Ukraine in its existential battle against Putin 

Obviously, this is a daunting list. And I probably forgot a few equally important items. But that does not preclude blame if they fail to make progress in many of these areas. Even bills that are eventually vetoed in the Oval Office indicate they are addressing an issue, so that there is hope that a future Democratic president might sign those bills.

So, while patience is required, in terms of results, there should be no restraint on trying, even if the process becomes two steps forward, one step back.  

Whether the American electorate is capable of accepting that process is certainly debatable, which is why engaging Americans, from all backgrounds, is critical to providing the basis for the ideas, and the patience to see it through.