EDITOR’S NOTE: The Pioneer shared some thoughts about the historic election, and asked the question “What now?” and asked for readers thoughts about what they think comes next. Now is not the time to sit back and relax. We must continue to be engaged and involved by contacting our representatives. We the People have shown our strength, and we need to make it clear that we will demand that they work for us. Here is a forum for you to share your thoughts about what our state and federal representatives need to focus on to help us all have the basic needs for a happy, healthy life. Send your “What Now?” thoughts to editor@tillamookcountypioneer.net
Thanks to David for sharing his thoughts.
In my opinion, the breadth of this victory is due to 2 developments:
(1) As is typical of villains, Trump caused his own downfall by the lack of any restraint on his narcissism and compulsive greed. So skilled at the art of the con, the promises he made to his electorate while campaigning were long forgotten. He probably won’t learn so there’s no What Now, he’ll just continue being Trump.
And (2) Democrat candidates across the nation have learned voters want them to actually listen and understand instead of using the many impersonal methods of choosing what policies will get votes. I fear the Democratic Party organization has yet to learn this, but after the 2024 election I noticed individual candidates realized the importance in off-year elections. Leading up to the midterms I was frustrated by the lack of news indicating Democrat candidates were doing this, but after winning their races many acknowledged they did. All that to say What Now is don’t forget the voters. Special interests will attempt to supersede voters and have their way with the new congress. We may agree with some of those interests, but that’s not the point. The point is: we the people are the boss and our elected leaders must continue to listen and understand what we want them to do in order to keep their jobs.
Thank you,
David Wiebenson
Manzanita