The Democrats also took the Senate, winning 23 of the 33 up for grabs. The GOP won 8, with (from what I could glean) 1 independent and 1 undecided. It means the Democrats have 53 seats in the 100 seat Senate, the Republicans 45. The Republicans still control Congress 233-193.
Mr. Obama will face an interesting 4 more years, with the U.S economy still sputtering, not to mention having to deal with the Medicare question that's divided so many of my American friends. Already, he's pledging unity and job creation as his top 2 goals. And now there's the issue of Statehood for Puerto Rico. Voters in the U.S Commonwealth have cast their ballots in favour of becoming the 51st State. Mr. Obama says it might just happen.
But what does the election signal to the rest of the world? 4 more years of stability or 4 more years of turmoil. Lets face it. Mr. Obama has a LOT of fence mending to do in his country, and he'd better start job creation programs as soon as he's inaugurated in January. And while he has a friendly Senate, Congress is decidedly not going to vote in favour of too many of his bills. So, I think a little bi-partisan give and take on both sides is what's needed.
As well, he has to show the world that the U.S.A is still THE superpower to deal with. At least, the democratic one. He has to show the world that wounds can be healed domestically, and gaps in ideology to some extent bridged. I don't envy him those tasks. Nor do I envy his rebuilding America's image abroad. Lets face it, the majority of the Arab world is decidedly anti-American. And the fight against terrorism. Sure, Obama got Osama, but there are a hell of a lot more of those nutters (foreign and domestic) still out there. Taking out Bin Laden was a triumph, but the tail of that dog is still wagging.
And speaking of bridging gaps, what about Cuba? I know, there's still a Castro in power there, and I know all about Fidel exporting trained guerrillas all across Latin America. But after 50+ years, isn't it time for both nations to come to the table and at least start talking? Maybe not normalizing relations right away, but at least get a dialogue going. What could it hurt? Just sayin is all.
And while the electoral system in the States seems foreign to people like me who grew up and vote in a parliamentary system, the U.S has one big advantage over we here in Canada. You get to elect YOUR Senators. Ours are appointed by the Prime Minister of whatever party is in power. And if the party in power has fewer Senate seats than the opposition..no problem! The P.M just creates new ones! So, to our leaders, take a page from our friends to the south and either reform the senate and let the people choose, or scrap it altogether and save a whack of tax dollars on an otherwise useless institution.
So, I congratulate Mr. Obama on his electoral win last night, but as I said I don't envy him the next 4 years.
'Nuff said.
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