E D - A Stiff Warning

Do you have E D? Don’t be ashamed. It may seem like a private problem but it is a very public issue at this moment. With a high percentage of liberal Democrats in the baby boomer population, E D is more prevalent than you might think.

E D – electoral dysfunction – occurs when long-time members of a political party which has been out of office for many years, find themselves suddenly swept back into power. Confused, dazed, disoriented, half expecting the announcement of a re-count, they walk around in a fog for several weeks.

“I thought the fix was in,” they whisper to one another in hushed tones. “They did it in 2000, I thought they would do it again. I wanted to win, but I didn’t think we actually would!” Their energy is drained. People once active and politically aggressive, find that unexpected success, the antidote to adrenalin, has left them . . . limp.

Care must be taken not to make important decisions during this initial period. Buying a new car, making retirement plans, choosing a new majority leader – all these choices must wait till calm and sanity return. Contact the offices of your local Democratic Party for instructions. In emergencies, go online to move on.org.

Fortunately, E D is a temporary condition. By the time the Democrats take over the House and Senate in January, both E D and Republican rule will seem like no more than a bad dream. Happy times are here again.

A foot on either side.

Bartley B