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What we should hear from our new Congressional majority:
For the past six years the Republican Party that controlled Congress and the Presidency did very little to help the average American. No surprise there. Instead, they seemed to focus on things that would increase the power and influence of the President, undermine the Constitutional protection we all enjoy, and provide massive giveaways to Corporate lobbyists.
On Tuesday, the American people stood up and said "Enough is enough."
They've already told us what they want. They want affordable healthcare. They want a raise in the federal minimum wage. They want more, better paying jobs. They want more affordable education. They want an end to deficit spending. They want immigration reform. They want an end to the War.
This last election wasn't a triumph of conservatism. It also wasn't a triumph of liberalism. It was a message from the electorate saying that it wants someone to focus on Main Street issues. Things that affect all Americans.
The White House and various pundits are speaking of the value of "bi-partisanship." NOW they're speaking of bi-partisanship. The last several years, the only meaning of compromise they seemed to accept was doing it THEIR way.
We don't want politicians working for special interests, or for their parties, or for themselves. We want our Representatives to represent US. Imagine that.
This wasn't a triumph of ideology. This was a defeat of ideology. This was America saying "we don't give a damn about your political theories--we want to see something that makes things better for us."
It's about time. And sure, we'll try to institute bi-partisanship. But bi-partisanship, to us, means that we'll work together for the public good. We'll find a way to make healthcare more affordable, to prevent unexpected illnesses from throwing families and individuals into bankruptcy or a lifetime of debt. We'll find a way to keep American jobs on American shores rather than out-sourcing them to other lands. We'll figure a way to secure our borders and provide physical security AND job security to American workers.
We intend to govern on behalf of all Americans, not just the people who yell the loudest. We believe America is finished with those who think their ideology trumps reality. They want an end of cronyism and corruption.
Forget 'K' Street. This is Main Street.
The voters have spoken. Now they want to know if we're listening.
We are.
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