Massachusetts speaks loudly

Scott Brown's winning the special election in Massachusetts tonight is stunning in a historic sense but predictable when you consider all that has gone on nationally in the last year. The seat held by the late Democrat, Sen. Ted Kennedy, will go to a Republican for the first time in decades. While the GOP won upset elections in Virginia and New Jersey in November, this victory is a clear indication of how people are incredibly upset with state and national Democratic politicians.

Here's why the Democrats are self destructing:

1. Health insurance reform should not have taken priority over the economy/jobs for the past year. Health insurance reform is a noble and worthwhile cause, but should have been third on the list of political priorities for the White House and Congress.

2. We are spending too much money on bailouts and wars -- money we don't have. A lot of parents are concerned about what kind of future their children and grandchildren will face as the deficit grows. Folks are tired of propping up foreign governments and greedy executives while endangering the financial well-being of our own families and country.

3. Our federal government seems as inept as ever at protecting our borders, preventing terrorists from getting on planes bound for the U.S., and can't even keep party-crashers from entering the White House. While President Obama is a smart guy, his administration has made some seriously bone-headed mistakes. Remember Air Force One flying low over New York for a photo opportunity, which sent the Big Apple running for cover in fear of another 9/11-like attack?

The election in Massachusetts isn't so much about New England going red, it's about calling out the Democrats for running up the deficit, not getting us out of these wars and most importantly, not putting the same amount of focus and energy into the economy as they have into health insurance reform. Yes, it's still the economy...

Democrats have seemed detached from the economic pain and worry the middle class is feeling. They talk a good game but appear to get derailed by what are lesser-issues for many Americans. Political issues. That doesn't necessarily mean the Republicans are better suited to fix all that ails us. If Republicans are smart, they will, however, at least create a perception that they understand it's mostly about the economy now. It probably will remain that way for several years.

Americans want to feel secure in their jobs and homes. They want opportunities for their kids. They don't want China owning half the country or political correctness going so overboard that we can't stop a member of the U.S. armed forces with ties to a known terrorist from shooting people on a homeland military base. We certainly want decent health care, but who is going to pay for it if no one is working and every job is outsourced to another country? We better start taking care of our own soon.

Voters spoke as loudly and smartly as ever in Massachusetts tonight. And that's a good thing for our country. When push comes to shove, democracy does work. People do wake up. Politicians of any party must understand we aren't going to let them set the agenda for us regardless of what party we might be registered with. We have to set the priorities and our New England brothers and sisters stood up today and did just that. They didn't fall into the Kennedy-legacy nonsense or antiquated ideas of red versus blue states. They saw the serious problems of today, didn't buy into the notion of the recession being over, and they said enough.

I am not a Republican or Democrat. My support goes to the politicians who understand what the issues of the day are and address them in a responsible, intelligent manner. I certainly hope Brown will be a solid senator and cast votes that are good for America and not just for his party.