October 30, 2022: Whatever your political leanings, if you are a voter in these United States, decision day is finally near. For the last two years, the US Federal government has been under one party rule -the Democratic party has been on control of the White House, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives.
The last election cycle happened six months into the COVID-19 lockdowns, shutdowns, and mandates. According to the US Energy Information Administration, the national Retail price of regular gasoline in October 2019 was $2.497 per gallon in the US. In September 2022, the price is $3.563. In California the October 2019 rate was $3.497 and in October 2022 is $5.50. The national price of diesel fuel was $2.385 in October 2019 and is currently $5.341.
Inflation, the economy, national security, and immigration are all issues in which the outcome of the November 8, 2022 election will be dramatically effected. The opinions on addressing these by those on the right and the left have little in common.
We are truly at a crossroads in this nation. The outcomes of the election more so this year than in part years is not so much about the individual candidate, but about the party the candidate will caucus with. When elected members of the House and Senate will vote either with the Democratic caucus, which very powerful fractions that are pushing the party further left than anytime in history.
Over the last 2 election cycles, four candidates who are members of the Democratic Socialists of America running as Democrats have been elected to office, and have used their social medial prowess and activism to move the party much further left than under The Clinton or Kennedy years. Powerbrokers behind the scenes have funded the election of District Attorneys and others in local communities who have very progressive ideals that include open borders, cashless bail, and suppression of free speech.
All indications are the American people are tired of the divisiveness and dysfunction in Washington. Americans want those in Congress to get about the business of being legislators, representing their constituencies and meeting their own deadlines.
One of the biggest examples of the divisiveness that must improve is the failure of Congress to operate under regular order. Did you know it has been over a quarter century since Congress passed the federal budget under regular order. 26 years ago was the last time Congress passed all 12 appropriations bills by the October 1 deadline. 26 years of increasing reliance on Continuing Resolutions, which mess up agency planning, grant funding, and so much more. The practice of issuing omnibus bills that run in the thousands of pages and are voted on a day after being published by legislators who have not read the bill is crazy and does not well serve the people.
Are you ready for election day? Do you know what is going to be on your ballot? If not, you can look it up at https://www.ballotready.org/
These last two weeks leading up to election day are typically frenzied for those on the campaign trail. Will election day go smoothly? Will we have announcements on all races that night or will it drag out?
Right or Left, which path on the cross roads will the nation be focused come January?
Always,
Beth