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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD |
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DEMOCRACY IS STILL THE GREATEST SYSTEM Before leaving the analysis of this year’s local campaign to the First Avenue pundits, the author extends his congratulations to fellow council members Lou Fligor and Kim Spatola for earning another term. It may be a stretch to say that Atlantic Highlands mirrors the national scene, but our results locally fell along some national trends. President Bush carried Atlantic Highlands and carried the nation. He has won the popular vote, and the electoral numbers as well. Senator Kerry also showed the good sense not to send a bunch of lawyers to prolong his inevitable fate in Ohio. One of the lessons of the election is that our country is growing more conservative, as witnessed by the number of states that Bush captured. It will also show that the President’s next job is to reach out to the other side and get this country united on our role in Iraq. On other issues, the President has some room to maneuver. Republicans have made solid gains in the Senate, and will now be in the position to control appointments to the Supreme Court that are sure to happen over the next four years. With the Republicans picking up several seats in the House, the President may continue his course of using tax cuts to improve our economic climate. On a state level, New Jersey continues to be a disappointment for Republicans. It has become a solid state for the Democrats, and the state GOP party needs to re-examine its efforts to change the tide. Even though Republicans continue to have a firm grasp on Monmouth County offices, statewide the party is stuck in neutral at best. Next year, the Governor and State Assembly are up for grabs, and Republicans need to get united to take both back. Finally, Tuesday showed that democracy once again is the greatest system of all. Despite the threat of lawsuits, the system worked and our country is poised to move forward. All reports say that voter turnout was a record high, and we cannot forget the many countries where there is no right to vote. One of the challenges for our nation going forward is to keep people interested in the electoral process, and making sure that they keep coming to the polls.
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