Turning Point: The Shot Heard Round the World

It was a sleepy April morning on a lonely bridge in Massachusetts when suddenly the "shot heard round the world" thrust the thirteen American colonies into a long, bloody revolt against the British Empire.

Now, 235 years after the start of the American Revolution, another shot has rung out from Massachusetts. Last night, Scott Brown - a Republican - pulled off a stunning upset victory over his Democratic opponent and won the US Senate seat that had been held by the Kennedy family for over 50 years. [link]

What makes this victory particularly stunning is its effect on national policy. Since the 2008 election and settling of the contested election of Al Franken (D-MN) to the US Senate, the Democrats have enjoyed a super-majority. If this was a hockey game, the Dems were skating through a power play with the potential of scoring a lot of points with their brash, young, star-player President. But not every hockey team playing with the advantage of the power play is able to score. And neither have the Democrats. Now they've lost their advantage.

It has been a contentious year even within Democratic ranks. It's not been a good year for the GOP, either, as they struggle to find their identity in the political landscape. But in a time when many had counted them out, the Republican Party has managed to remain steadfast and poised for a comeback.

Little has been accomplished by Congress. Unemployment, government debt (national, state, and local) and health care reform are top on most minds. Congress has done very little to address the concerns of the public, and some have so much as turned their back on their constituents. The President, for all his rhetoric, has yet to show the resolve he needs to get the job done.

The people of this great nation are angry. They will not be ignored any longer. That is why Martha Coakley lost the election. She, a Democrat, running for the Senate seat held by two of the most prominent Democrats in history, in a Democrat stronghold (although most Massachusetts voters are independent) thought she had it in the bag. A couple of months ago Coakley led her opponents by 30 points. But she underestimated her prospective constituents.

Scott Brown appealed to the voters. He even campaigned against the health care measures that the Democrats have held so near and dear - to the point where they believe we should hold near and dear.

President Obama has publicly staked his presidency on health care reform. Unfortunately, the Democrats have put so much into their versions of the bill that have nothing to do with fixing the problems and more about paying each other for votes.

Health care needs to be reformed - the vast majority of Americans get that. What we don't get is all the crap that the Democrats have added.

Scott Brown was elected because he gets it. And I believe he has been elected just in time, before the people in charge (who don't get it) have a chance to really screw things up.

This is a turning point. There has to be compromise on the big issues that face us, and frankly there are some folks - both Democrat AND Republican - who need to figure that out real quick or they will be out of a job this time next year. If things stay pretty much at a stalemate as they are now, I believe there will be a lot of turnover in the Congress. And that will not be good for the President.

During the last presidential campaign, Mr. Obama was criticized for his lack of experience. A year after his inauguration, he is living up to those criticisms. This would be a real good time to step and show some leadership, and embrace true compromise (which will have to involve Republicans). Otherwise after November's elections, it may be too late, especially if the Democrats sustain heavy losses.

Yes, this is a turning point. One for the President to take leadership. Or for him and his party to forfeit it. The people have spoken. They will not be ignored.