November 8 We Do Our Shopping at the 99 Cent Store. After a trip to a Mexican Supermarket called El Super on Wednesday, I returned to the car with the food, but my wife Zunliang lagged behind. When I looked back, she was heading toward the adjacent 99 Cent Store. Thus, after putting the groceries in the car, I headed for the 99 Cent Store. There, I found Zunliang on the far side of the store checking into the Artichokes. Before long, we had 99 cent Artichokes, Asparagus, Red Peppers, Pomegranates and Potatoes. Next, we found the tea section where we loaded up on green tea. Afterward, we checked the canned foods where Palm Hearts, Beets, Tomato Paste and canned Tomatoes, Baby Corn. Finally, we picked up some canned green tea and some Pomegranate/Passion Fruit drink, which I noticed afterward, has hardly any actual fruit juice in it, predictably. The entire lot cost $43.60. The only catch with the 99 cent price was that it was actually 99.99 cents which came to a dollar per item, except for those items with a special price, but that was nothing to complain about. We had been to the 99 Cent Store before, but this was the first time in a few years. Afterward, it occurred to me that Zunliangs decision to shop there may have been symbolic of the Republican gains in the previous days election. In other words, it looks like, with the Congress we have and the likely political gridlock we will face, most of us might as well become used to shopping there. I certainly dont see a Republican led Congress passing anything that will help the majority of Americans. It would take a miracle for these people to raise the minimum wage, for one thing. So, batten down the hatches, grow your own food if you can, and get ready for a very austere 2 years characterized by a disgusting display of partisan Republican politics and general voter disgust with Congress. The question on the minds of most progressives, is why Republicans made gains in the election, even though it was predicted. One reason, tragically, is lack of participation by liberal voters, many of whom only show up for Presidential elections. Another reason is demographics. The Senate races were for seats that were last elected in 2008, the year that Obama was elected and a very good year for Democrats. Most of the Senators who were up for re-election were Democrats, and mostly from red states that have usually gone Republican. Add to that, the trend that white people tend to vote in greater percentages, while minorities, who tend to vote Democratic, are likely to stay home. Then add in the rampant Republican gerrymandering of Congressional districts and voter suppression of likely liberals by Republicans, and what we get is a system which is heavily rigged in favor of Republicans, especially in this election. I read that even here in liberal California, whites are actually in the minority, but are the majority of voters. Nonetheless, California is too thoroughly liberal for Republicans to have a successful election, even among white voters. My Congressional representative, Mark Takano, a member of the progressive caucus, was easily re-elected. This is remarkable, because until Takanos original election in 2012, this district was represented by loyal Republicans for many years. Despite the results of Tuesdays election, not only California, but the nation as a whole, is gradually growing more progressive. Moreover, it turns out that so called Blue Dog Democrats, the conservative DINO types who mostly accede to Republican policies, were the big losers in Tuesdays election. The Progressive Caucus did very well, losing no seats in the election. The Democratic Party is being purged of conservatives, further polarizing the 2 major parties and accentuating the contrast between them. Perhaps voters will begin perceiving more of a real choice in the coming elections. Thus, I expect the current dynamic to reverse in 2016. More voters will show up in 2016, voter suppression will be more noticeable and less tolerated, and the mood as a whole will be more liberal minded. The Senate races will be for seats last won in 2010, the Tea Party year, most of whom are Republicans. There is little chance that Republicans will come up with a candidate for President who has broad appeal, in contrast to Democrats, and even the effects of the gerrymandering of 2010 might be moderated as local voting populations change. But meanwhile, let us prepare ourselves for 2 years of Republican obstinacy, unsuccessful attempts to repeal Obamacare, and a Congress which probably passes nothing but bad legislation which will hopefully be vetoed by Barack Obama. We survived Ronnie Raygun and George W. Bush. I suppose we can survive a couple more years with a horrible Congress while we wait for relief. But we the public really must take responsibility for ensuring fairer elections and electing a better Congress. We certainly cannot depend upon Congress to do that for us.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 23:00:42 +0000
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