As someone who has taught American Government for a long time, you kind of live for days like this past Tuesday. This has less to do with the actual direction of the change, and more to do with the volume of the change. All those years of talking about the potential of our country to change, and the power of the average American to change it, often goes in one ear and out the other of students glued to their phones. But when a day like Tuesday comes around, I can’t help but hope at least a few of my current students—and more than a few former ones—are thinking “Dang! He was right after all.”
History suggests few changes of this dynamic, but there have been some pretty big shifts in the middle of other presidential administrations. As we begin to consider what’s next, perhaps these past occurrences can provide some guidelines:
Amid the thrill of change It truly is exciting to consider just where all this change can lead us. At the same time, it is important to take a moment and honor those who experienced so much loss that led us to conclude something better was needed. Tuesday’s election isn’t going to put the money back in the pockets of millions of Americans who spent too much on gas, food, housing—everything—all in the name of a war historians suggest had no legitimate purpose. This is even more the case for immigrants who were wrongly thrown out of the country, and those victims of ICE violence. Amid the joy of what can be, it is important to honor and respect those who have known loss, and provide the support they might need.
Undoing old change The main reason elections like this come up is because Americans are unhappy with the way things are. As a result, they put new people in charge with the expectation things will get better.
Two things here. First, not everyone who voted for a Democrat on Tuesday is suddenly as Democrat—many just don’t like the way the current guy is doing things. Democrats will want to center their goals on that, not on winning people over to the party. Solve their problems, and they’ll vote for you again.
Second, not all the leadership is heading for the door, and that includes the guy who gets to veto all actions of Congress. That’s not to say Congress shouldn’t try—in fact, if they really have their act together, they’ll introduce legislation the first day of the new session with two dozen bills that will make average voters go “That’s what I’m talking about!”—but getting past a presidential veto still won’t be easy, even with all the changes. Keep this in mind if we get to 2028 with a few things that could still be better.
About the Democrats History also suggests the Democratic party doesn’t exactly have a reputation for having each other’s backs. When they are fighting a Republican majority, they tend to stick together; once they’re in charge, they often run into their own cliques like middle school students run into the bathroom in groups.
The good news here is that Tuesday’s win was so big, there’s more than enough Democrats to get things done, even after a few defectors.
Retribution Some are looking to Congress to hold someone accountable for the last two years, and take action against them. Truth and reconciliation hearings are more than appropriate in a democratic government; vengeance is not. Justice demands a calm approach. Do that, and all will be well.
Cat on a Spring Day
She moved along with purpose on the ledge
Pursuing not a thing the eye could see
To right the windows overviewing sedge
To left a fall so not remotely free
Deliberately advancing sure afoot
Her destination utterly unknown
When reaching where the landowner had put
A sash up so the springtime winds were blown
Into the house, ‘twas there she made her perch
With head tucked down to fill the open space
Not even one small thought to make a lurch
Instead to let the breeze surround her face
The peace of waft and birdsong her one goal
Her journey a life’s lesson for my soul.
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