(no subject)

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...