Leon Panetta is a scary, scary man

[Tweedy]

68. The art of politics is the possible

I experienced an Election Day and night similar to yours. Yet, I have been pleased for the most part. On election night, I warned everyone to remember the status quo was well entrenched and we were in economic free fall. I never would have dreamed we would get a health care reform which is better than social security in its first iteration. Gay marriage in 38 states did not seem possible. The end of crack/cocaine disparities seemed extremely unlikely. The major investments we have made in our future, in research, solar and wind, too astound me. We are now even discussing police abuses in civil forfeiture! I started this thing very pessimistic though. I've seen precious little progress, or problem fixing in my lifetime.

I did think we would finally reform our broken immigration system and close Guantanamo. I underestimated the demagoguery on the right.

The senate matters. The house matters. Local school board and judicial races matter. Vote!