Why we need harmonious discord... and why I worry about the Republican Party.

As I sit here, three days post-election, I worry about the future of the Republican Party.  This may come as a surprise to many.

I had much to celebrate Tuesday night.  I believe the best man won to lead our nation.   I am glad to see gains in the senate for women.  The idea of a solid and balanced Supreme Court seems pretty solid.   A woman's right to control her body is safe.   Frankly, a balanced Supreme Court will be for a fairly long time. 

I am sure that many that bemoan Obamacare are happy they and their children will continue to have benefits till they are 26 on their employer’s plans.  We can celebrate that the election occurred without the entire rancor and legal challenges that the press warned us of.    That with all of our challenges we have conducted an election and the success of our process for elections is not perfect, but by gosh it does work and we have peace on our shores post election.

The president made his case in his acceptance speech for the importance of our political process warts and all.   He showed that articulate ability to rise above the discourse and I think was a great speech.   I have a link ( Presidents Acceptance Speech) here for those who may have not been awake.

So, why be concerned about the Republican Party?  Why not be happy they look like they are in chaos mode.  Why not smile that the message of exclusion, of not trusting women, of believing that my being gay and wanting love is a threat to our society.  Why not just celebrate with all the money from the Koch Brothers and other execs that they couldn't really buy the election ? (Ok this one is pretty damn great !). Why not chuckle over the inability of the networks to predict or maintain a semblance of impartiality?  (I thought hufgingtonpost and cbsnews.com did the best job.  )

I do believe that in a two party system we need a vocal and competent contrasting ideology so there is a healthy debate of where our country is going.    I don't believe we can just spend our way to prosperity.  

We need the liberties and inclusiveness of the Democrats while honestly realizing we have to maintain and implement social policy that is supported by the citizens.  I am reminded by friends that we need an economic and government policy that is balanced.  The slow progress of gay rights, but witness  the progress of gay rights as it rises now through the population and not just the court system.

Big business isn't bad business.  Transferring personal wealth to the government on the promise of a broad safety net seems admirable but has challenges in times of economic hardship.   It can stunt innovation and challenges economy wise.   How long can China still grow its economy when the wealth is hidden by its government?  Whether we always want to admit it our success, especially in my lifetime, has been based on the promise of freedom and capitalism.   That a Steve Jobs who creates a unique organization and products will gain unheard of wealth.  That innovation, creativity, and business acumen mean more and realizes more value than someone who finds an oil well or a mound of gold in their backyard.    That human creativity and a drive for success having both personal and material reward is good for business and good for our country.   These organizations create opportunity for their employees and their ecosystem many of them worldwide.   So we need a Republican Party that can add balance to policies that may have very good motives but can stifle innovation and a Democratic Party that doesn't allow these corporations to escape their responsibilities including providing safe products, safe workplaces, and help assure our environment is safe for generations to come.  In theory, less money at the top and more balanced distribution of wealth would seem ideal but I am afraid it is just that.  We need to have enough freedom to rise into the middle class for some and frankly for others believe they can make it into the 1% or even be president some day if they choose.

Mitt Romney should have not shielded his tax returns.  Who among us choose to pay more taxes than we have to ?  The rich have more options and they always have.  Whether a king, queen, czar or their families in the past.  He could have used it as a talking point for tax reform.   Who doesn't make that last charitable donation in December because of the deduction, and not just to help the needy?    We don’t  to my knowledge have a line on any tax form that says add money here for what you think you should pay additionally in taxes or would you like the government to please keep your refund.  Mitt Romney isn't guilty of not paying too little taxes, he is guilty of not standing up to use that as an example of why the tax code needs the changes he could have proposed.

Nominating Paul Ryan as VP was courageous.  His social policies and stands are frightening.   His desire to control women and others not like him is frightening.   But, the discourse on our deficit is necessary.   Why he was stifled more than Sara Palin in 2008 is amazing.   He did say when he proposed his budget he hoped it would begin dialogue instead he was silenced, and we will have to see what he has in mind from here.  Hopefully he is willing to discuss and help move this county back to a surplus and not a deficit as we had under Bill Clinton and a Republican congress.

This president is a hawk on defense.  Make no mistake of his desire to protect and defend as he has shown over the last four years.  He has a hawkish Secretary of State and a position of strength.  Was that his desire or a reality check of an opposing party that demands strength and will challenge the president otherwise.

We learned in the Clinton years that balanced government can work quite well.   The challenge in all of the negative public discussion the two parties did work together.  

We need this balance and a party that will hold and communicate publicly the challenges to policies that won't work.  That may stop what are basically bad campaign promises and to a certain degree let the president escape bad promises or assure they won't hurt the country.   I believe we need this even more as we seem to have a press that is more biased than independent.   I watched Foxnews.com as they communicated the news the president had won, at the same time on their station Karl Rove was denying it and fighting it publicly.

Witness the liberal states that on occasion, Mr. Romney, send a moderate Republican into the governor’s mansion.   That shows a check on power of the leading party and a desire for balance.   New Jersey may have a conservative governor, but he understood clearly he needed the federal government to help his state and citizens.  So, he is guilty of thinking of his current office and not the future.   It is possible to do both I hope! (or will he have to change parties or become and independent like Bloomberg)

So,  I am happier this morning.  I do like the results of the election.  But, I want the tension that seems to come with an elected government and the citizens pushing dialogue.  Again, look back to George W. Bush reelection and how he ran against gay rights and won.  Today we have 7 states with gay marriage and 4 by vote.   We do make progress but we have a slow moving bureaucracy.   That is part of the constitution and its checks and balances.

I am a hopeful optimist and certainly am happier.  I am also grateful to have followed the election online and avoided all the tv "experts" and commentary.   Heck, after I post this blog am I now a political expert?  (hardly!)

I also agree with the president.  How lucky we are to live on a country where our vote matters as we watch so many countries fighting for this right that at times we take for granite.  I do recommend you watch his acceptance speech, even if you were red and were mad as hell on Tuesday night.