[Industrialblog,
November 8, 2006]
Important not to overreact
I'm not that concerned with the GOP loss. It's the equivalent of losing the last game of five-game road trip. The pendulum was gonna swing the other way sooner or later, and only the Dems' self-destructiveness prevented it from swinging back sooner. And better they win now than in 2008.
Another good sign: I liked some of the Dems this year. Not just guys like Ed Rendell, but others, like James Webb of Virginia, who was just head-and-shoulders more qualified George Allen.
Webb is a Jacksonian Democrat -- which is what most Americans are, at their core. I certainly am. More guys like Webb and the Dems will be on their way to being responsible adults.
Troubling signs: Too many scions of politicians chosen mostly for their name-brand recognition. Bob Casey, Jr. Tom Kean, Jr. Too much of this shit, for too long. I think the Kennedys started it, or maybe the Adamses. In modern campaigning, branding is important -- and we're seeing families inventing themselves as brands, the biggest being, of course, the Kennedys and the Bushes. Aristocrats suck, no matter what their called.
Another good sign: I liked some of the Dems this year. Not just guys like Ed Rendell, but others, like James Webb of Virginia, who was just head-and-shoulders more qualified George Allen.
Webb is a Jacksonian Democrat -- which is what most Americans are, at their core. I certainly am. More guys like Webb and the Dems will be on their way to being responsible adults.
Troubling signs: Too many scions of politicians chosen mostly for their name-brand recognition. Bob Casey, Jr. Tom Kean, Jr. Too much of this shit, for too long. I think the Kennedys started it, or maybe the Adamses. In modern campaigning, branding is important -- and we're seeing families inventing themselves as brands, the biggest being, of course, the Kennedys and the Bushes. Aristocrats suck, no matter what their called.
After having watched many worse things happen under GOP control that I ever imagined ... I can tell that it pays to keep things in perspective. If I can survive the Bush Presidency, you'll survive the Pelosi House.
Tying your identity too heavily to a political party probably isn't too healthy anyway.
hiking the minimum wage
limiting executive compensation
requiring healthcare from companies like Wal-Mart
Those who prefer the laizze-fare approach, as this blog usually seems to do, should be concerned, not greatful.