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Health & Fitness

What We Can Expect Going Forward

The election is over. Thank heavens. Billions of dollars, millions of leaflets and phone calls later and we seem to have happened upon a status quo election...

The election is over. Thank heavens. Billions of dollars, millions of leaflets and phone calls later and we seem to have happened upon a status quo election. With only a few Senate and House seats changing hands it looks as though we might be headed for stale-mate again, but there are reasons to be hopeful about moving ahead on the issues facing our nation in the next four years. The real mandate given this election by the people was that we need to find a way to work together in Washington to overcome our differences and find a way to pass legislation without the obstructionism that has become so prevalent over the last four years.

Already Congressional Republicans seem to be opening up to dealing with the deficit issue that has faced the country for the last decade. If John Boehner and House Republicans open up to the idea of using both budget cuts and moderately increasing revenue we can preserve important programs such as defense development and social programs which have committed to on both sides. There is no perfect solution to the issues facing the country right now, but by working together hopefully a compromise can be reached which will avert the dreaded “fiscal cliff”.

The issues of demographic shifts have also brought attention to the issues involving thousands of undocumented immigrants who reside in the United States. Right now, people are living in this country, striving to contribute and build a life for themselves and their children. By providing a path to legal recognition, these people can become recognized contributors to society and pay for the services they use. Republicans such as Marco Rubio have committed themselves to immigration reform and now is the time for other Republicans to move forward in providing a path for people here now and change the legal nightmare that is our immigration system.

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The election was not the end of the country many right-wing talking heads have been lamenting this week. Instead, it was a referendum on how both Republicans and Democrats need to find a way to reconcile out differences to get things done at both the federal and state levels. The Democrats aren’t out to strip you of everything you love and hold dear. The American people know this, and simply desire a solution to our problems which encompasses ideas from both sides such as budget cuts and revenue while modernizing and updating programs such as our immigration and Medicare to make sure they will operate effectively going into the future.

Reprinted from State Senator Curt Thompson's (D-5th) blog. Also, check the Senator out onFacebook and Twitter

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