My Reaction To The Election (National, State, and Local)

Congratulations to President Elect Barack Obama.
Brotha, you have a loooooooooong haul ahead of you.

To all those who voted for Barack Obama, keep up the momentum. Stay involved, participate in this great social experiment known as representative democracy. Barack Obama didn't get elected on his own sheer willpower. People helped him get there. Now that you have proven that anyone can attain the highest office in America, turn your attention to your city, county and state governments. There is STILL such a thing as state's rights.

If your candidate(s) lost (or didn't get a fair shake at being heard...can someone say third party candidate???)...Stay involved, participate in this great social experiment known as representative democracy. There are winners and losers in every competition. Don't allow yourselves to disappear into the shadows. There is STILL such a thing as state's rights.

I find it interesting that the large black voter turnout is being attributed to helping defeat Proposition 8 in California. Exit polls show that a large majority of black voters voted in favor of Prop. 8, which places an amendment on the state constitution prohibiting same sex marriages. Lots of money was spent by both sides. I guess black folks are more socially conservative than many pundits guessed.

As of last night, chickens in the state of California now have to live in roomy cages and have the freedom to roam around most of the day. My sister suggested we buy a deep freezer and hoard as much chicken as possible before the price goes up. I can see it now...runs on the stores for chicken thighs. Think my idea is ridiculous? Well, remember a few months ago when grain prices skyrocketed and people were making runs on the stores for rice? Yeah, that happened...

Minors still have to obtain parental permission to get tattoos, ear and body piercings,
Tylenol at school, ride schools buses on field trips and a myriad of other things, BUT they still don't need to inform their parent/guardian they are going to have an abortion.
But you know what I think most ironic? If there are complications resulting from the "procedure", guess who is legally liable to pay for the medical care to correct the problem? Yes ladies and gentlemen, the same parents who DON'T have to be notified. If I were a parent in that situation, I would have the hospital send the bill directly to Planned Parenthood...

There were no major ballot initiatives facing my county or city. Our mayor was re-elected to another term. I am satisfied with his leadership thus far.
Our city council was changed a little bit. It will be interesting to see how the whole slow growth versus no-growth thing goes.

I am ecstatic the election is over. Two things I did as a result of the outcome:

I am stashing money in savings accounts like crazy. I immediately increased the automatic deposit amounts for my daughter's 529 plan, my monthly "rainy day" fund, and my Christmas/Vacation fund accounts. I have a feeling I am going to need as much cash as possible over the next four years. I am so glad I cut up the credit cards....

I have re-acquainted myself with basic high school civics curriculum. I had to re-check some stuff because I had the unfortunate pleasure of speaking to ignorant people today. I am not the smartest person on the planet, however I DID pay attention in 12th grade civics...Not everyone did, I have come to find out that hard way.

Them: Now that Obama is president, he can kick out those stupid Supreme Court justices and put his own people there.

Me: Umm...Supreme Court justices are appointed for life. That means they have to retire, be removed through the impeachment process, or DIE.

Them: No, they don't. When there is a new president, he gets to bring in all the people he wants. He gets rid of all the people from the previous president.

Me: That's right, for a lot of positions. But Supreme Court justices aren't in that category.

Them: You'll see...Obama is going to get rid of all those stupid Bush people....

Why, O Lord, must I suffer....