My Thoughts on the U.S. Midterm Elections.

On the evening of election day in the U.S., I decided to tune into MSNBC with my parents to watch, live, the results of the midterm elections. For those of you who do not know, I am a lifelong Democrat, who was raised by very liberal and open-minded parents. However, I like to consider myself as someone who is open to entertaining viewpoints different from his own.

 Prior to Election Day, there was forecasted to be a “red wave” of Republican support, in both the House and the Senate. Years ago, I was taught in school that, typically, whenever one party wins the presidency, in the next midterm election, two years into the future, the other party often wins control of Congress. This simple fact, plus the idea of the impending “red wave,” did not make me optimistic about these midterms.

 As I write, control of the Senate is virtually tied, and the Republicans are poised to win control of the House of Representatives; albeit not in the major, splashy way that they were forecasted to. As a Democrat, I honestly feel that the situation could have been much worse. There was no real “red wave,” and the Dems won many governors races. In addition, Gavin Newsom was re-elected as the governor of my state of California.

 Unfortunately, however, the ultimate fate of Congress after these midterms has yet to be decided. In the coming days, we are expected to gain more information, as more results are tabulated. According to the news media, both the issue of reproductive freedom, and the obvious unpopularity of Trump, are to blame for the lack of a proper “red wave.”

 I personally am optimistic so far with the results; although I fervently wish that the Democrats could retain control of the House. It does not look as though that will occur. If, somehow, we were to retain control, I would welcome the passage of a bill that would guarantee workplace protections for LGBT people, as well as a bill that would federally enshrine the right to reproductive freedom for women.

 I have no idea what to expect in 2024, when the presidency will be up for grabs for the first time since Joe Biden was elected in 2020.

 Just to conclude, I truly feel that it is our sacred duty, as U.S. citizens, to vote, whenever we can and are able to. Following politics on a local, as well as national level, has dramatically impacted my life, in a very positive and real way. I honestly believe that an educated and informed populace is what makes democracy in this country strong.