1. ELECTION - What is the significance, and your reaction, to the recent elections? In particular, that the Democrats now control the House and the Senate, leaving Pres. Bush without legislative support? Also, what is your reaction of Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House – the first woman to hold that position?

Election- I am happy that the Democrats are ruling the House and Senate. But as for big changes I don’t foresee any, anytime soon at least. I don’t have much reaction on the new Speaker of the House.

JAMES W

The Election - Well for the last two administrations we have had to deal with a government that really had no regard for the people that are struggling to make ends meet. I believe that for this administration the issues that are being addressed are geared toward those who “have.” But, hey, this is just my opinion. I believe the elections going the way they did are the people crying and saying that government must adhere to the will of the people and not just to the will of a few. I believe that one party controlling the Presidency and both House and Senate wasn't good for America. There has to be a system of checks and balances and one party with that much control was too partisan. I believe legislation passed because of strong partnership. And now that control in both Houses is with the Democrats I really don't see much changing because too often our politicians have an allegiance to their particular party. Bottom line is you have Democrats and Republicans with their own agendas and they are really just going after each other. The president has done things his way for too long and I believe now that he has someone to answer to, their must be compelling reasons or evidence for his actions.
Jennifer R

Election-Being a conservative Republican, I was not happy with the results of last weeks election. I personally to not feel that the Democrats understand the dangers this country faces from terrorism and the nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea. Their majority is such that they will probably have as much trouble with their agenda as the Republicans. As for the President's ability to push through his legislation, I think it will be harder. The Congress, no matter who leads, has become a place of gridlock. Neither party seems to be able to work for the good of the country and put aside their differences. It is nice to see a woman become speaker of the house, but I do not agree with Nancy Pelosi's policies. I believe she is a socialist, and will try to push her views on the country. Most of the committee appointments she has made so far are to people on the ultra-left and not to the people in the middle. I think the election was more a backlash against Republicans, not an affirmation of Democratic policy, which was never spelled out. Another words, the people voted against a particular party and not for the other one.
Renee R

I view the recent elections as a relative success. I use the word “relative” because the results of this election were not spectacular in and of themselves. In my opinion, they were merely a correction of a ridiculous error in judgment by the American populace. For the past several years, this country has been seemingly overrun with conservative ideals. In Kansas, they placed creationism on the same level academically as evolution, we have the Ten Commandments being placed on government property, South Dakota nearly banned all abortions (even those that risked the life of the mother) and, for some bizarre reason, same-sex marriage is under attack, supposedly because it somehow threatens “traditional” marriage.

              Hopefully, the fact that the Democrats are in control of the House and the Senate will make it possible to undo some of the damage done by the current administration. At the very least, it will slow down the religious right’s quest to turn this country into some sort of Christian kingdom, where anyone who doesn’t agree with their annoying rhetoric is summarily punished. If the conservatives had retained control of the House and Senate, I might have had to consider moving.

              I think Nancy Pelosi will make a great Speaker of the House. The fact that Republicans are angry about her success is reason enough for me to support her. It is always intriguing to have a female or minority public figure, because they tend to be scrutinized more severely by the conservative bigots in this country. Isn’t it interesting how the more religious people tend to spread more hate?

Mark E