The electorate did not accept the plot and high priority of one-term office from congressional leaders for President Barack Obama. The tables were turned upon their own heads. Obama was re-elected with 332 votes in the Electoral College. Scheming tends to dishonesty.
Voter suppression in Florida and Ohio received a backlash. A surge of minorities at the polling places made a great difference in the election. These voters were determined to cast their ballots, in spite of standing in long lines for many hours.
The demographic trends that have created a diversity of minority groups have shown many changes in the electorate. The voters gave consent to same-sex marriage in three states, electing a gay senator to Congress, increasing taxes in California, and approval of marijuana use in two states.
The “bums” were not thrown out where Congress has a 9 percent approval rate. Voters displayed contradictions and inconsistencies about their lawmakers, retaining them in a dysfunctional Congress.
The House is still dominated by Republicans with few losses; the Senate is controlled by Democrats with two gains. A divided government remains, but the voters want cooperation with compromises.
Isaiah J. Ashe
Huntsville
