The Message from Massachusetts

We are all trying to make sense of the win in Massachusetts by Scott Brown.  The only thing that comes through loud and clear is the continuing dissatisfaction of the populace.  There is no clear mandate for Republican resurgence.  Brown represents the yearning of the average citizen to see positive change in his life, which has not materialized as a result of his vote a year ago.

The political positions of Brown are in some ways congruent with current Obama policies—stay the course in Afghanistan for instance….Coakley wanted us to get out.   Brown also said ‘no’ to taxing the Banks to pay for the bailout---what are the people thinking?  If they are all so pissed at Wall Street, why wouldn’t they be supporting Coakley’s tax position on that issue? 

It is clear to me that the people don’t really know what they want or completely understand any of the important reasons why the country is in the mess it’s in now.  The only thing they are certain of is their own anger at their government. 

And why not??? 

What has the government done for them over the last year?  We have seen lots of relief for the banking industry and no regulation; we have seen a bailout for companies too big to fail; we have seen a bailout for the auto companies; we have seen a rather tepid and insufficient stimulus program with no real mortgage relief or jobs program, etc. etc.  There has been lots of relief for institutional players, but virtually no relief for the common citizen.  Let’s not forget their frustration with a complicated health care reform bill that no one really understands and that has been misrepresented and lied about by those whose only agenda is to foil any real reform and change because of their vested interests and greedy self-absorbtion.

The average American is angry.  They are only just now coming to the realization of how their lives have been altered.  Unfortunately they don’t really understand the reasons behind the change.  So the only thing to do is to be angry and vote for ‘change’.  How ironic.

I think what is really apparent is the educational gap that exists between informed citizens who can analyze problems and make decisions about courses of action to make things better, and those who attend Sarah Palin book signing events!  (Go to Youtube.com and search for interviews with those people—it will take your breath away!).  Our schools are doing a poor job of preparing the populace for self government!  If ever there was a mandate for improved Civics and Economics curricula we see it here and now! 

So how do we channel this anger and ‘nouveau populism’ into postive action?  I think that is the over-arching challenge for the Democratic Party over the next ten months before the elections in November.   If they don’t figure it out, they are going to lose the opportunity to engineer real social change in our society. They will inadvertently contribute to our country’s further restiveness by returning people to positions of power who are the same ones that have delivered us into our present predicament. 

What the people currently see is a new administration that promised change, but is unable to effect it.  Instead the Democrats are seen as shackled by the same strictures that they promised to break.

What results is renewed anger, misguided election results and a worsening public mood.  Maybe the only true answer is to vote all new people into office and start over!  Get rid of all incumbents down to the statehouse level. 

Don’t laugh—it could happen.  The alternative to that kind of  ‘peaceful revolution’ is something I can’t even contemplate.