Republicans Misreading Election Results

Judging by the Republican reaction to the recent elections, one might think that they had been given a mandate by the American people to continue the disastrous policies that threw America into a recession in the first place.   The only things they have offered so far is more tax cuts for the rich and cuts to so far unnamed government programs.   And to get what they want, they are already threatening a government shutdown.

And it's not just the new congressmen, who may not fully understand what they are getting into, but experienced Republicans like Mitch McConnell are also calling for the Democrats to give in or suffer a government shutdown.   I find it hard to believe this is what the voters wanted when they put the Republicans back in power (at least in the House of Representatives).

A large part of the teabaggers who voted for them (about 50%) are over the age of 55.   Many of them are already on Social Security and Medicare, and many more will be there very soon.   In addition, more than half of elderly Americans voted Republican in this last election.   Were they voting for a government shutdown?   I doubt it.   A government shutdown for any length of time at all will mean no Social Security checks will go out and Medicare will be discontinued.

Clear majorities of all Americans do not want Social Security messed with, and I have to believe the Republicans will reap the whirlwind if they shut down the government and elderly Americans are left to fend for themselves.   The medical bills of these elderly Americans will not stop and the rent and groceries will still have to be paid for.   How will this happen if the government is shut down?

And then there's the exit polls conducted.   Most of them show that the voters aren't happy with either political party.   They're mad at everyone and just want something to be accomplished in Washington, and the number one thing they want is job creation.   Nobody was given a mandate and most voters want the two parties to compromise and get things done -- not argue and shut down the government.  

An exit poll done by CBS News shows this clearly.   Huge majorities said they wanted both the Republicans and President Obama to compromise -- and this was not just voters in general, but also Republican voters.   Here are the results:

ALL VOTERS
Republicans should compromise...............75%
Obama should compromise...............71%

REPUBLICANS
Republicans should compromise...............66%
Obama should compromise...............79%

I think the Republicans, especially those talking about a government shutdown, have misread the election results.   They can probably accomplish a shutdown if that's what they want to do, but that's not what they were put back in power to do.   And if they do shut it down, they could well regret their action in 2012.