Top 10 reasons why Obama's re-election is a historic turning point in American politics
Last edited Wed Nov 7, 2012, 10:45 AM - Edit history (5)
1) If 2008 was partially about helping to turn the page on race relations by electing America's first non-white President, then 2012 is about ensuring that America's first non-white President gets a shot at going out on his own terms and on a high in 2016, rather than becoming a punching bag (like Jimmy Carter seems to have become). Obama will now stand a legitimate chance as being remembered as not just a legendary political figure because of his race but also because by 2016 you can bet we'll be nicely recovered and he'll look like this generation's FDR. Losing would have meant the Right Wingers got to craft the narrative on recovery and taken all the credit. This election proved that America doesn't forget who causes problems and rewards those who fix them. Now, the Democrats will get all the credit for the recovery.
2) This was the election of the Super PAC and unprecedented spending and through 4 million+ individual donations Americans showed that people power was more powerful than corporate influence.
3) Occupy Wall Street, for all its faults and missteps, opened people up to the idea that the 1% shouldn't have more power and influence over the 99% and Romney's 47% video only further demonstrated how the extremely wealthy view average everyday Americans. People everywhere are now thinking about this disparity in wealth and influence. They're aware of it and this election will prove that Americans have had enough. This election is a shot across the bow for those who feel they can do whatever they want because of their family names or wealth.
4) Affordable health care will be here to stay. This was a landmark reform that could have been repealed but with a new term it's all but a lock to stay for good. Social reforms like this tend to gain in popularity as people benefit from their existence. That act will save people's lives and be a lasting message of Democratic care for decades to come. This party will forever be known as the party who made health care more accessible to all and that's powerful for the party.
5) Wall Street Reforms will be here to stay. Dodd Frank was big. It made sense. It will protect us from similar crashes in the future.
6) This will be the election where women everywhere were reminded of how old-fashioned and socially conservative the GOP truly are. The "battle on women" was legitimate and could make converts out previously female centrist voters for a very long time.
7) Obama will be able to complete immigration reform. Immigration reform will help to tighten the party's connection with Latinos in America which will be crucial for future generations.
8) The Obama's and Biden's have done a terrific job winning over military families and giving reasons for military families to believe that the GOP isn't the only party that cares about them. The military family vote has been a weakness for the Democrats for several decades so Obama's pending victory ensures that those binds continue to connect and the strangle-hold that the Right Wingers have had on military families, and all the propaganda they've put out over the decades, trying to make it appear as though center left Americans don't value their service or their sacrifice will lose momentum.
9) America's Right will fraction off and become more divisive. The Tea Partiers will think Romney wasn't extreme enough or too much of a flip flopper. Moderates will think the party's become too controlled by Norquist and the Tea Party. Libertarians feel neglected. The Right's strength in America has always been that they were united in hate against social values. Any crack in unity will be huge for progressive values moving forward. It also serves as a reminder to extremists on the Left that we can accomplish more when we are united as well.
10) Life will be better for the vast majority of Americans. Less Americans dying from wars or lack of health care. Better education. More energy independence. Better fuel efficiency in cars and more electric vehicles on the roads. Continued solidarity from our closest allies. A solid fight against outsourcing and an increase in some protectionism techniques to keep dirt cheap products from killing jobs here. A sustainable economy and housing market that isn't out for short-term profits. More innovation and innovators coming out of our public schools due to the increased focus on achievement in math and science.
Obama's re-election will be viewed as a turning point in American politics. Not only will life be better over the next 4 years because of this victory but the Center Left message grows stronger because of this win, which allows for future wins and gains in areas that concern us all. The House will have to concede and work with President Obama. We will have to give in certain ways too but I don't see how compromise isn't more likely now that they know he's there for 4 more years than before. He won't be up for re-election in 2016. There's nobody to defeat any more and they will all be concerned with their own jobs and lack of results. The jobs bill will be passed. Taxes on the wealthy will occur. Debt will decrease. And when people look back on Barack Obama 2 or 3 decades from now I think he'll be viewed as an FDR-like figure that pushed center left ideology to new heights.
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