You made my red state blue!

It will be no suprise to most that I am rather happy with the outcome of this past election on Tuesday. The Democrats won back the House and the Senate on the national level, and while the state of Missouri is still run by a Republican House and Senate, the state party did make gains in the local legislature as well. It was pretty plain to see that the country made a statement against the Iraq war and the current leadership of the nation, however I think this past election did much more than usher in a new party to power. I think that this election changed the politics of the nation. I think the change was made between the politics of fear to the politics of hope, from the politics of individualism to the politics of cooperation and diversity. I truly hope that a new day in Washington has arrived.

When America voted on Tuesday the electorate said that they have had enough of the "we have to attack them or they will attack us" attitude. I believe that the country has learned the lessons of September 11th and has chosen that the lessons are that America is strong in its diversity, in its acceptance, and in its hope. While America was angry at the attack on our country and the sting of September 11th is still lingering throughout our society, the healing powers of hope and, although be to a much lesser extent, forgiveness have once again become a true American value. Our forefathers envisioned a country that accepted all kinds of people and allowed true liberty and freedom from a government of tyranny. I believe that we have once again, through the established democratic system, have thrown off the chains of oppression. The controlling figure was not those of a tyrannical king but of fear. I believe, as was said by the McCaskill campaign, that democracy is not spread by the barrell of a gun but instead by education, discussion and debate. Now my hope, and the hope of motivated electorate, is that we can now belong to a society of hope, a progressive society that works toward a better future.

Politicians were not the only things decided on Tuesday there were other initiatives that helped bring in this new motivation of hope and progress. In Missouri 3 other very important issues were brought to the forefront. The issues of stem-cell research, an increased minimum wage, and a tax increase on tobacco products were brought to a vote as well. Of these issues 2 of 3 of them were passed. The failing was the tax increase on tobacco products within the state.

On the subject of stem-cell research; at the risk of sounding like the 30 second commercials that were ran on the subject, this ballot measure offers hope to families who are greiving and yearning for a cure. This over simplifies this very complicated issue but it is at the crux of the debate. My main concern was the deception that was practiced on both sides of the aisle, the legislation did not allow for cloning, it did not trick individuals into donating eggs, and it did not mean that there is a cure for every disease 2 years on the horizon. The legislation did allow for the current lines of stem-cells and embryos to be used to try and find cures to the world's most devistating diseases. As has been the case throughout human scientific history this issue was extremely complicated and is extremely emotional. However, much like the use of cadavers at the beginning of medical exploration to lead to modern science for the "mapping" of the human body the research gained will be invaluable to the course of human history. Much like the earlier stages of medical research and surgery all care and precaution is taken to assure the care of the living and as the technology and research grows the procedures and techniques will become more sophisticated and advanced leading to the withdrawl of earlier maneuvers for more progressive and safe techniques in caring for the sick and diseased of the world.

The minimum wage increase also drew fire from opposite sides of the aisle proponents arguing that more money for workers will mean better health care affordability, more spending by individuals to increase the market, and better education requirements for the country as a whole. Opponents argued that is would force small businesses to fire people and curtail hiring so that they can pay for those that they have currently at the new rate. However, I think that the elecotrate believed that the corprate entities throughout the state were raking in the profits a little too much. I believe that the Worldcom, Enron and other scandals as well as the record profits (note not costs and revenues but profit) influenced the voters to assure the politicians that they know how to handle their money and how to wisely spend it according to their needs and wants. I believe in the old saying "a rising tide lifts all ships," so I think it will benifit the people of Missouri with the tide of change.

The Democrats now have a chance to lead and to change the current attitude throughout Washington and throughout the country, I hope they do not squander that chance. It has been said that "power corrupts" my hope is that the new party's power will not corrupt but will instead inspire. That this new group of leaders will lead by example and will inspire not corrupt or scare. My hope is for bi-partisan solutions to complicated problems. My hope is that the new leadership will listen to all the voices of the electorate and not just the base and those who voted for them. I look forward to the diversity of country and the variety of voices throughout the nation. It is as the news networks have said "a new day in Washington," I hope that this new day is filled with hope and inspiration.