What does the 2014 election results signify?
The election results this year and the extent of it changed the political structure of the country. There were some surprising results in some states while the scope of the wins by Republicans has not been seen in years. Some will say and have said the results mean nothing in relation to the 2016 election but ignoring the anger of voters in this election years will have repercussions come the next election.
The ideas, actions and policies now in place within the federal government and the departments and agencies were soundly rejected by the voters. Control of Congress has changed hands and with that Republicans have an opportunity to make changes in the current path of our country. Voters were and are looking for a change in the way the federal government is being ran and there votes signify they demand action.
Many reports have indicated that there are hundreds of pieces of legislation currently being stalled in the Senate and that this number is not out of the ordinary. While this figure may be accurate it ignores their content. Another point which should be part of the discussion is the topics of the legislative proposals and the actions being proposed within them. It is understood that there are hundreds if not thousands of legislative proposals initiated each legislative session.
I have made a statement that legislative proposals and the process needs to be revamped to make it more efficient and transparent to the American people.
The current process involves a step by step approach to evaluate the quality of legislative proposals but there is too much power within committee chairmen and the leaders of both houses of Congress. Each senator or representative wants to show they are involved to serve the needs and wants of their constituents and the country. They feel that if they do not create proposals either by themselves or jointly with other elected officials they are not serving their constituents. This frame of mind based on the actions of voters in the recent election is not what I believe voters were looking for while in some specific cases this may be the case it is the exception rather than the rule.
Clearly the message being sent back to Washington is a strong one and if leaders now in place ram through decisions before newly elected officials are in place there may be retribution in the next election. It is clear that voters expect cooperation between the political parties in both houses of Congress. In the Senate with the changes in the rules currently in place pushing through appointees in the same manner as other legislative actions in the past may meet with additional resistance in the next election. Individuals now serving in the Senate and House of Representatives must be mindful of the fact that many individuals who will not vote on legislative proposals or nominations for appointment to federal departments or the judicial system will not be there come January. It is hoped that such attempts will be met with resistance by those leaving office. How would they be able to explain their rush to make decisions if they want to be successful in any attempt to serve again or their political party to hold their respective position in the future?
