I am 70 years old. And sometimes I long for the 50's and 60's,

[TheCowsCameHome]

but not the 1750's and 60's, dammit! That is where we are headed, my friends. Buckle up for a bumpy ride.

My local newspaper is full of very close election race results this morning.

A wacko teabagger that threatened in writing to kill George H.W. Bush and served 14 months in jail only lost by 60-39% to a wildly respected Democrat in a state race, pulling down 25,000 votes out of 63,000 cast The man should be in an insane asylum, yet he fared this well.

My veteran Democratic Representative in Congress squeaked by a newcomer republican by just 51-48%.

Another state rep race went 51-49%, the Dem just barely winning over another fringe candidate backed by shadowy teaparty money.

And on, and on, and on it goes.

And this is in Massachusetts, the bluest of the blue states.

I weep for my children, grandchildren and my county today. We are back in the 50's all right - the 50's of centuries ago.

[newfie11]

1. I agree nt

[RKP5637]

2. In my childhood IMO people were far more astute and aware of what was going on, crazies and crooks

did not have as much of a voice in the political process (but they were there), but today many rally around them. This country is going through a tremendous metamorphose in the way-back machine, as you say. And, with a significantly dumbed down populace. I hate to be so damn pessimistic, but my gut feeling is give it a few more years and this will look like the best of times.

It isn't even a question of R, D, I ... but rather a question of doing what is logical and best for the country, for the most of the people in a fair manner, and that part of the equation is now missing. Many seem to delight in torturing so many people in so many ways through the political process.

[freshwest]

3. Correct. Although the 1970s is where most of us live inside our heads.

Some have not listened to the ravings of the lunatic rightwing fringe for the last few decades, and now it's no longer the fringe. I am glad you were spared the obvious destruction of these maniacs in your state, though. For that much at least, you have reason to be relieved. But the baleful influence of them taking over the Senate will intend take this country back too far. And it will not be resolved in 2016.

[Paladin]

4. I thought sociopolitical matters would improve, with time.

Imagine how foolish I feel.

[AZ Progressive]

5. This is what happens when the wave created by a great president dissipates

Teddy Roosevelt created a progressive wave that lasted 20 years, and FDR created an economically liberal wave that lasted almost 50 years (because each succeeding president felt like they had to govern from the left of center), but there was no great president to create another wave and the rich elite were ready to have their own great president to counter.

We in effect are still living with the reaction to the 1960s, the elite of this country were horrified at how the people were able to rise up, and were determined not to let it happen again. One of those determinations was that Americans were getting too educated (thus more knowledgeable to go and rise up and protest), and that was probably the signal to end free higher education.

[AZ Progressive]

6. You have a whole electoral populus that has no appreciation for left wing economics

Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the WWII generation and preceding ones to civic involvement and how the government can better people's lives, which improved people's perception of government. FDR was basically seen like a father during the Great Depression, and left a generationally long mark on the WWII generation. FDR essentially made Americans friendly toward left wing economics, but that impression only lasted in the generation of adults alive during his time. All the problems we've been having now were when the WWII generation lost their influence, and the economic ideas that led to the Great Depression started creeping back again due to the lack of experience as to its consequences.

[hollowdweller]

7. I'm not 70 but I'm old enough to remember.

When 1 parent could stay home because the average household made enough money with 1 worker.

When you could pay for college tuition and room and board with a summer job

When most people got overtime for working more than 40 hours.

When there was talk of how technology would shorten the work week and the worker would get the same or more pay.

When candidates worked their districts rather than sat back and ran negative ads.

When being a teacher or public employee paid decent money.

When people had time to go to church because they were off weekends.

When old people could afford to retire and open up a job for a younger worker.

[calguy]

8. I'm 64, and like you, I've seen a lot

As a 10 yr old boy I was mesmerized by the mystic of John Kennedy. At 14 I witnessed the "total" destruction of the GOP with LBJ's landslide win over Goldwater, only to see Nixon rising up out of the ashes of the turbulent 60's. After serving my time in the military, I was an enthusiastic volunteer for George McGovern in '72, only to be crushed by Nixon once again. I grew up in Iowa, lived in California for 35 yrs, and moved here to Arkansas 10 yrs ago. I've always been "cursed" to be living in a conservative area, even in Calif.
Over this time I've seen a gradual but steady erosion of the middle class. I've also seen the political pendulum go back and forth many times. As surely as we lost yesterday, the GOP will lose in like fashion in the future.

Republicans are now enjoying their "largest majority" -- what are they going to do with it? Nothing, except remind the 2016 electorate -- which will be twice as large as this one and played on turf favorable to Democrats -- why they are so unpopular. They will spend the next two years infighting between the Establishment and the Tea Party, embarrassing themselves by trying more corporate tax cuts for the rich (Obama will veto), kicking millions of Americans off health insurance (Obama will veto), and taking up Crazy Cruz's constitutional amendment to harm gays. And don't forget Mc Connell will have to deal with the rise of new GOP upstarts like Joni (make 'em squeal)Ernst.

Republicans have a majority in Congress. They still have no ideas. Mitch McConnell spent the election running away from Obamacare's success in Kentucky. Unfortunately, he didn't have an opponent tough and wise enough to make it an issue. Now what's he going to do? Show he is a liar by not repealing Obamacare or keep his promise and destroy health insurance in Kentucky? Republicans all over are in this predicament, because they spent 2014 hiding who they are. Now they will have to either put up and alienate the country, or break promises and alienate conservatives. All I can day is "Haha, good luck! It's harder to govern than to obstruct, block, criticize, say 'No', and complain."

I have always and will continue to keep and vote my values no matter who is in power. And I will constantly remind my fellow Arkansans we now have the best Senator and Governor "money can buy". The next two years should be interesting.

[RebelOne]

9. I am 75 years old and remember the '50s and '60s well.

The only reason I would want to go back there is to change a lot of things that I regret now.

The '50s were not so bad when Eisenhower was president. But I was a teenager then and didn't pay much attention to politics.