Mixed Feelings

While I once again voted nearly a straight slate of losers, I am pleased that my district and state are out of sync with the rest of the nation. I am glad that Democrats have taken back majority of the House and (fingers crossed) the Senate. Democratic oversight (if it is properly executed, i.e. not like the Republican Revolution of '94) is crucial to stemming the tide of the ruinous policies of the Bush administration.

Voting for Harold Ford was very difficult for me to do, as I wrote in an earlier post. The reasons I wound up voting for him rather than abstaining are multiple, but all can really be reduced to the Democratic party regaining control over Congress. To those of you saying quizically, "But, Stupid Girl, Ford lost, so your brilliant plan didn't work," you have a great point. When I early voted, the race was still very much a tossup, though I don't think anybody realized how close it would end up, so I had to do what I had to do with the information I had at the time. I think I did the right thing. I don't think Ford and I have much in common besides the superficial (age, skin tone, and party affiliation), but I know that Bob Corker and I only possess membership in the same species in common. There was just no way I could have voted for Corker and not hated myself. I find him to be a vile man, and I hope that Montana and Virginia go the D's way, so that Corker's impact will be minimal over the next six years.

(A parenthetical about "Third Party" candidates: in theory, I love the idea of a multiple-party system. However, our braand of representation really makes third parties unviable. Couple that with the two parties in power doing whatever it takes to remain in powoer, and I think that nothing short of amred revolution will bring actual substantive changes to the elections process.)

I am very discouraged that so many voters have no problem whatsoever with adding discrimination into the state constitution. I have truly tried to understand why people are so afraid of homosexuality. It is something I am resigned to never understanding. To me, the fear seems to be more akin to a phobia, in that it is bereft of logic. If there is anybody reading this blog who voted in favor of Amendment 1 (or whatever similar legislation banning gay marriage in your state) who would like to explain to me why homosexual marriage is so dangerous that its prohibition must be a constitutional issue, please, please, please drop a line. I am interested in understanding your side, but, thus far, there has been no argument presented from the anti-homo side that isn't easily beaten down with cold logic.

A little note about a non-Tennessee race: I was truly surprised that Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island was defeated. As the only Republican Senator to vote against authorizing war in Iraq, I felt he was truly a moderate Republican, who out-McCained John McCain on issues regarding this Stupid War. I think he was a moderating voice the Republican party so desperately needs right now. I will be sorry to see him go.

In a post planned for later today, I plan to excoriate the media's coverage of the election. Stupidity abounded, particularly from those at MSNBC. Holy crap, did they suck.