(no subject)

[muscadine]

Let's start local...

Good news:
Tennessee now has a Democratic governor!

Bad news:
In the campaign, at least, he was almost indistinguishable from the Republican candidate.

Good news:
The Democrats appear to have retained the majority in the Tennessee State House & Senate.

Bad news:
The State House & Senate will probably also retain their "do-nothing" approach to government.

Good news:
Arkansas elected a Democratic Senator.

Bad news:
Tennesee elected a Republican Senator.

Good news:
Tennessee passed a referendum about a state lottery to fund education, and didn't pass a referendum on increasing the maximum amount allowed for municipal fines.

Bad news:
The former will probably send middle class kids through college on the backs of the poor, and the latter means many local laws are virtually unenforceable.

And on a more national level...

Good News:
Jesse Helms is no longer in the Senate.

Bad News:
Elizabeth Dole actually thanked the bastard in her victory speech. I suppose she was obliged, but still, I lost a bit of respect for her there.

And the most obvious Bad News:
Democrats lost control of the Senate and possibly lost seats in the House. Republicans now control the legislative and executive branches, and you can be sure judicial appointments will fly through the Senate now.

Good News:
Democrats did make some gains in the governorships, even if it wasn't to the degree they had hoped. And with Republicans in control of the legislative and executive branches, there is no scapegoat Senate to blame things on. It's all on them now. And it's a long way down from the top, folks. A long way down...

Comments

[hyounpark.livejournal.com]

Semi-good news: the Republican Senator is a former Secretary of Education who spent state money to start the Governor's Schools and a heck of a pianist, so at least he's not completely on the right on every issue?

Nope, not very convincing.

Thpbbbt.

Tennesseely,
Hyoun

Re:

[legolastn.livejournal.com]

Nah, I agree. Alexander is a Mostly Harmless moderate conservative who actually has had some great ideas. And would be okay if he didn't contribute to the Republican Senate majority, whose leadership tends to the far right (e.g., Trent Lott). If only the would buck the seniority crap and vote for some centrists. At least then it would reflect the actual political realities of an ideologically split country.

[reannon.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth Dole should make a fine yes-woman to succeed Helms. As much as I'd like to see more women in the Senate, Dole has said she didn't have children because she doesn't believe a woman could have a career and children too. Therefore, programs like the Family Leave Act and just about every step of the women's movement in regards to work equality was unnecessary. She's not exactly my pick for a banner-carrier for women's rights. I'm sure she and Helms got along great.

Feminist diatribe over. :))