Wendy made a note yesterday as results poured in: “This reminds me when Jesse Ventura was elected governor of Minnesota.” We were living in Minnesota at the time and cast our vote for then-Governor-elect Norm Coleman. Neither Republican or Democrat won that race when over 50% of the votes cast went for pro-wrestler-turned-politician Jesse Ventura.
Within a year Minnesotans hated Ventura. He ran on a platform “anti-Special Interests” and “change.” Once in office, he didn’t listen to anyone but himself. His political speeches were anything short of embarrassing. He trumpeted no reform at all and left with no changing legacy. Today, Jesse Ventura is considered a nut case. He rants on radio of how assassins are out to get him and that 9-11 was an inside job, if that gives you an idea of his mental sanity.
So now America elected Barack Obama, another so-called reformer out to “change the world.” He ran on the promises to raise taxes, keep abortion legal, and increase government programs. The mainstream media became the propaganda bloodhounds for Obama, ignoring any negative news about his past associations or questionable policy proposals while viciously attacking any threat to his candidacy (e.g. Sarah Palin’s family and Joe the Plumber). Obama ran on “hope” and “change,” and people cast their vote with the sincere hope, I believe, that Obama will change things for the better.
Wendy and I spoke last night to a group of homeschoolers in Colorado Springs. Having nothing to do with the election, we spoke on family traditions, and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening. On the way home we listened to the disappointing news that Americans voted for a more social agenda than a conservative one. Social policies do not work whenever they are tried, and the “hope” of an Obama campaign will be the hope that they do this time.
We are hoping for a rebirth of conservative principles that have brought prosperity and growth to America. We are a unique nation, and though there are those who desire to look more like Europe, I don’t believe these are the next generation of leaders. Our alumni state of Minnesota put Norm Coleman in office last night by a mere 728 votes (.0003% difference), keeping America from a socialist super majority Senate. America was spared a true “revolution” to socialism, with conservatives able to filibuster the most radical changes Congress will attempt to make.
Within a year people will see the policy proposals of an Obama administration come to fruition, and the 2012 campaign will pick up steam. From now until then, we will attempt to rebuild conservative principles in our friends and family who were convinced into believing in socialist ones. Dispite the defeat yesterday, I see hope in our future.
About Chris & Wendy Jeub
