Two Excellent Election Eve Links for You

The first is Scott Rasmussen, from the Wall Street Journal, thinking about how voters are not voting for the GOP, but against what they have seen from the Democrats and the Democratic party during these past two to four years. Here's a snip.

More precisely, it [voting against the party in power] is a rejection of a bipartisan political elite that's lost touch with the people they are supposed to serve. Based on our polling, 51% now see Democrats as the party of big government and nearly as many see Republicans as the party of big business. That leaves no party left to represent the American people.

Voters today want hope and change every bit as much as in 2008. But most have come to recognize that if we have to rely on politicians for the change, there is no hope. At the same time, Americans instinctively understand that if we can unleash the collective wisdom and entrepreneurial spirit of the American people, there are no limits to what we can accomplish.

In this environment, it would be wise for all Republicans to remember that their team didn't win, the other team lost. Heading into 2012, voters will remain ready to vote against the party in power unless they are given a reason not to do so.

Elected politicians also should leave their ideological baggage behind because voters don't want to be governed from the left, the right, or even the center. They want someone in Washington who understands that the American people want to govern themselves.

I'm not sure I agree completely with his conclusion that voters want to "govern themselves." but it's pretty darned clear that voters are not happy with the governing that has been taking place and are not afraid to let the powers know that via the ballot box.

The second is from Michael Kruse. Kruse is the voice behind the Kruse Kronicles blog. Here he guest-posts at the blog of Allan R. Bevere, a Methodist minister in Ohio. Kruse snags three things really well in this entry: one, how it is that we come to demonize the other side; two, how we make the calculus about the common good, and how values differing gives different answers to that question and three, how these two tendencies come to conflict with each other. I'd give you a taste, but nothing I would pull out would make sense without the rest of it, so you'll just have to click on the link and read it for yourself. I think you'll find yourself nodding your head yes.

Oh, and if I didn't mention it before, you should go vote tomorrow, November 2. Polls in Missouri are open from 0600 (6 a.m.) to 1900 (7 p.m.). If you are in line at close, you will vote. Missouri voter info can be found at http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/default.aspx

Info for Kansas voters can be found at https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/ Kansas polls are open 07-19. (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)