Reply #6: Scott Brown attributed his election to Independent voters...

[spin]

BOSTON — Scott Brown, a little-known Republican state senator, rode an old pickup truck and a growing sense of unease among independent voters to an extraordinary upset Tuesday night when he was elected to fill the Senate seat that was long held by Edward M. Kennedy in the overwhelmingly Democratic state of Massachusetts.

***snip***

“Tonight the independent voice of Massachusetts has spoken,” Mr. Brown told his cheering supporters in a victory speech, standing in front of a backdrop that said “The People’s Seat.”

***snip***

Mr. Brown was able to appeal to independents who were anxious about the economy and concerned about the direction taken by Democrats, now that they control both Beacon Hill and Washington. He rallied his supporters when he said, at the last debate, that he was not running for Mr. Kennedy’s seat but for “the people’s seat.”

***snip***

Mr. Brown ran strongest in the suburbs of Boston, where the independent voters who make up a majority in Massachusetts turned out in large numbers. Ms. Coakley did best in urban areas, winning overwhelmingly in Boston and running ahead in Springfield, Worcester, Fall River and New Bedford, but her margins were not large enough to carry her to victory.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/us/politics/20election.html

I'm noticing a lot of dissatisfaction with BOTH major parties. More and more of the people I talk to are saying, "Let's just throw all the Bastards out."

There is absolutely no doubt that the voters were pissed at the Republicans after eight years of total mismanagement. Obama promised change and hope. Unfortunately, he turned his flagship of change, Universal Heathcare, over to Congress. The backroom deals and the lack of transparency have occupied the first year of his administration and the result looks like a bill written by the "for profit" healthcare insurance industry.

Meanwhile, despite the best efforts of the administration the unemployment rate is still high and banks are still foreclosing on homes. Many people suspect that the bailout was directed at helping the big corporations and the banks with little concern for the average person on Main Street America. People are beginning to believe that we are a country of the Big Corporations, by the Big Corporations and for the Big Corporations. They also suspect that those we elect are bought and paid for by the Big Corporations.

Massachusetts did send a message, but I don't believe for a minute that it was pro-Republican. The voters want a voice and if the Republicans and the Democrats continue to ignore this fact, both parties will suffer in the next two elections. The voters want to see the economy improve and not just for the rich. The voters would like to see the sky rocketing cost of heathcare curbed and improved coverage for all people. Defending the U.S. against terrorist attacks is extremely important but so are individual rights and freedom.

The voters want their opinions to be considered as important and worthy of consideration. They will look for candidates who will respect their views and until they find those politicians, they will continue to replace the politicians who merely back extremely unpopular party politics.

Obama is a great communicator but his mistake was let the Democratically controlled Congress push through programs that failed to accomplish the concerns of the voters.

But often, a great President has a bad first year. It's not easy to be President especially when the prior administration managed to totally screw up the economy. He needs to live up to his campaign promises of change and hope and transparent government. I have confidence that he will realize this and turn out to be one of the truly great Presidents in American history.