5 Things I Learned from the 2012 Election

It was another eventful election night in the United States. There was a tremendous amount of energy, positive and negative, that was charged behind our country’s political decisions and the future of the country. In a non-scientific study, here are the top SFASFAS things that I learned about our country last night.

The economy needs bipartisan collaboration.

It is clear from Democrats, Republicans and Independents that the United States still has a long ways to go to get ourselves out of the worst recession since The Great Depression. This is a time when bipartisan policies must be established to build up the economy and lower the unemployment rate. Too many American’s are out of work. Too many potential students are faced with exponentially increased tuition costs with decreased financial aid. Too many students are graduating and struggling to find jobs. These problems most people can agree on. The priority and solutions to them, most people disagree on. This is a time when we need to band together and pick ourselves back up.

Social issues are a bigger priority than the economy

Women’s right to choose. Birth control. Marriage equality. Fair immigration policies. These things trumped the economy when voters took to the polls (or mailboxes for us in the pacific northwest). Republicans seem to be too “right-wing” when it comes to social issues. Talking heads made comments that the Republican Party must look within itself and their future. The extreme right-wing rhetoric that is required to gain nomination through the primaries seemingly sets candidates too far over to claim any center-right platforms without sounding like a “flip-flopper” in the general election.

With record numbers of under-represented groups coming out to the polls to be heard this year, candidates are no longer being elected by middle-aged, white males. Candidates from all parties must be able to relate to the issues that these groups are facing.

The Millennial generation is misunderstood

A CNN correspondent claimed that the Millennial generation is now lost to the Republican Party forever. The claim is that with two consecutive Presidential Democrat wins, these voters will now remain Democrats for their lifetime. This claim is also based on a Baby Boomer generation that would work for the same company out of school until they retired. There was a greater sense of life-long commitment from the Boomers. This is not the case Millennials.

I believe that most individuals find themselves somewhere in the middle of these two parties. We are forced to make the “lesser of two evils” decision because we agree with some platforms, but not all. If a socially liberal, fiscally conservative candidate surfaced from either party, I believe that they would do well in the general election.

The voting process needs help

President Obama addressed it in his acceptance speech. The process for many Americans to cast their vote is a travesty. An individual having to wait in line for 4+ hours is unacceptable and creates an unnecessary barrier to voting. Individuals with disabilities and mobility issues are placed at extreme odds to be able to cast their vote. I have never felt more grateful for the option to mail in my ballot.

Discrimination and racism is more prevalent than people may believe

Non-Democrat supporters being upset about President Obama’s re-election is no surprise. The onslaught of discriminatory language surrounding their feelings of frustration was a surprise. I read a chilling article this morning, showcasing individual’s comments on Twitter about the election. Many of the individuals used derogatory language in regards to the race and ethnicity of President Obama. The majority of the individuals that were showcased? High school students. One can only imagine that this type of hate must be accepted at home for them to feel comfortable sharing it on a public forum. There is not a doubt in my mind that we have come a long way with equality and discrimination, but this election is also a sobering moment that shows we still have a long ways to go.