The Rest of the Ballot

[LDAHL]

While the grotesque spectacle of the presidential race was getting a lion's share of the media bandwidth, a longer-term trend toward the GOP has been continuing. There are now more federal and state elected officials with an "R" after their name than at any time since the 1920s. What's going on?

Is it devious and immoral trickery?

A brilliant ground game and superior strategy?

A lull before the demographic storm?

The result of the opposition's numerous unforced errors?

The wrath of a vengeful god?

An indication that outside certain rarefied precincts, Americans are still a fairly conservative people?

Trump may wind up poisoning the brand big time in the near future, but how do we explain how the GOP has been prospering so well up to now?

[iris lilies]

My state, a red state, made a Republican sweep.

We voted in a raw newbie Republican to the governor's seat who was a Democrat not too long ago. He ran against a Democrat who was a Republican not too long ago. Since he is only won with 51% of the vote, it is said that Trump pulled him along.

Other key races were won by Republicans. I can think of one poster here, peggy, who will be very very unhappy with the waynour state went.

[Miss Cellane]

My state is sending four Democrats to Congress. All women. Every one of our Senators and Representatives--female and Democrat.

But we're swapping a female Democrat governor for a male Republican. 'Cause the former governor is now going to be a Senator. The woman running against her for Senator supposedly was hurt by her endorsement of Trump, according to local gossip.

[iris lilies]

My state is sending four Democrats to Congress. All women. Every one of our Senators and Representatives--female and Democrat.

But we're swapping a female Democrat governor for a male Republican. 'Cause the former governor is now going to be a Senator. The woman running against her for Senator supposedly was hurt by her endorsement of Trump, according to local gossip.
The not-so-local gossip I heard today about her is that she supported Trump, and then didnt, and it wss the "didnt"that hurt her.

My friend who wants to move to New Hampshire watches your elections.

[Tradd]

I live in the People's Republic of IL. Don't need to say anything more.

[flowerseverywhere]

I live in a sea of red, my county was bigly republican. The southeast was bigly republican as a whole.

I think a lot of it has to do with disinformation. Yesterday someone said the protesters were paid professionals. I asked why she asked that and said the news had said so. I only found some fake news, although there may be some, who knows what is real

I know many have an overwhelming idea that illegal immigrants come in, sign up for welfare benefits and live a luxurious life on the backs of the taxpayers. Plus they are criminals and rapists.

For or some it was fear, as their has been a shift in the male breadwinner, head of the family to many low paid men struggling. The rise in women, black and brown men is threatening.

Lastly, there are a few who fear or hate those who are of a different religion, skin color or sexual orientation.

Some people remain convinced that they are paying for abortions through their taxes, there are lots of late term abortions, and they should not pay for those sluts birth control (thanks Rush). Anti abortion sentiment is their #1 concern.

Overall, it is not one thing, but a series of things which add up to a lot. Plus, a lot of people got caught up in the "build that wall" and "lock her up" hysteria. Personally, I highly doubt either will happen. More fence and more border patrol possibly, but a huge beautiful expensive wall Mexico will pay for, not so much. Probably reversal of the young dreamers act, curbs on immigration or even halting it.

[LDAHL]

I live in the People's Republic of IL. Don't need to say anything more.

My BIL works in one of the northern suburbs, and recently bought a building site just over the border in Wisconsin. He tells me there are a large number of "Illinois colonists" doing the same thing. This surprised me a little, as I had always understood WI to be a high tax state. He claims IL has surpassed them, and has some major fiscal problems (especially public pensions) that he didn't want to deal with going forward. He's not very political, but he blames Democrats pandering to public service unions.

[Tradd]

My BIL works in one of the northern suburbs, and recently bought a building site just over the border in Wisconsin. He tells me there are a large number of "Illinois colonists" doing the same thing. This surprised me a little, as I had always understood WI to be a high tax state. He claims IL has surpassed them, and has some major fiscal problems (especially public pensions) that he didn't want to deal with going forward. He's not very political, but he blames Democrats pandering to public service unions.

IL is in the worst financial situation of any state in the entire country. The public pensions are grossly underfunded. The 1970 state constitution forbids messing with public pensions, which really has complicated things. The Dems really do seem to not want to do anything about it, since the public unions have them by the balls. Sales tax here in Cook County (I live in a suburb on the border) is 8% in the burbs. It's about 10% in Chicago itself. We have a county gas tax on top of fed and state gas taxes. The a$$hats at the county gov't put a 5 cent a round ammo tax on to pay for criminal element programs. That went into effect in July. My ammo purchases are in McHenry County or online. They just approved a 1 cent an ounce soft drink tax.

Chicago water/sewage rates have increased, and Chicago property taxes have gone through the roof. Public pension issues. The Chicago Public Schools are a mess.

I buy gas near work in DuPage County. I go into Lake County to grocery shop. I buy as little as possible within the county.

There is a huge divide between the Chicago area and the rest of the state. Downstate there are plenty of Dems who are at least centrist, not the corrupt, loony Crook County species.

Chicago is a lovely city, but the political species that inhabits it makes it a cesspool. Springfield (state capital) is a cesspool as well. The speaker of the IL House has been in the position for close to 35-40 years. Michael Madigan encapsulates in one person all that is wrong with this state and its politics.

I'm of the opinion you could fence off Chicago and just nuke it from orbit and we'd be better for it. Better do that with Springfield, too.

[iris lilies]

IL is in the worst financial situation of any state in the entire country. The public pensions are grossly underfunded. The 1970 state constitution forbids messing with public pensions, which really has complicated things. The Dems really do seem to not want to do anything about it, since the public unions have them by the balls. Sales tax here in Cook County (I live in a suburb on the border) is 8% in the burbs. It's about 10% in Chicago itself. We have a county gas tax on top of fed and state gas taxes. The a$$hats at the county gov't put a 5 cent a round ammo tax on to pay for criminal element programs. That went into effect in July. My ammo purchases are in McHenry County or online. They just approved a 1 cent an ounce soft drink tax.

Chicago water/sewage rates have increased, and Chicago property taxes have gone through the roof. Public pension issues. The Chicago Public Schools are a mess.

I buy gas near work in DuPage County. I go into Lake County to grocery shop. I buy as little as possible within the county.

There is a huge divide between the Chicago area and the rest of the state. Downstate there are plenty of Dems who are at least centrist, not the corrupt, loony Crook County species.

Chicago is a lovely city, but the political species that inhabits it makes it a cesspool. Springfield (state capital) is a cesspool as well. The speaker of the IL House has been in the position for close to 35-40 years. Michael Madigan encapsulates in one person all that is wrong with this state and its politics.

I'm of the opinion you could fence off Chicago and just nuke it from orbit and we'd be better for it. Better do that with Springfield, too.

Noooooooooo! The architecture in both cities is worth saving. I love Springfield. No nukes! Instead, send them biological weapons, that wont hurt the bricks and mortar.