Cheers for some led to messages of doom from others as area Democrats and Republicans shared different takes on Tuesday night's election, which witnessed the re-election of Barack Obama as president.
In Pasadena, crowds cheered for Obama's re-election at Burger Continental, with volunteers from Pasadena United Democratic Headquarters, 25th District incumbent candidate Sen. Carol Liu, 41st State Assembly candidate Chris Holden and Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard.
Obama campaign volunteer Jessica Cristo, a faculty member at East L.A. College, celebrated the campaign end with her family.
"We're waiting for Obama to say his speech and really waiting for Romney to concede. It definitely looks good for the next four years," Christo told Patch.
Shirlette Butler-Elder owns Butler-Elder Day Care, a children's day care on Elizabeth Street, in Pasadena. She has worked on the Obama campaign since 2008.
"We're kind of tired, but we did it. He did it. Who would have thought he would do it again? [The campaign] got really nasty," Butler-Elder told Patch.
The small business owner thought she could lose clients at her day care if Romney was elected because some of her children benefit from a government assisted program called Options, she said. The child care and humane services agency allows parents to work or attend school.
Husband and wife volunteers Ron and Mary Ellen Braden dressed up in Obama gear at the party.
"We're happy because Obama won for the little man. The millionaires lost tonight and that makes us happy. Obama takes care of the common people. Romney takes care of the rich people. And Romney lost and that's why we're happy," Ron Braden said.
Happiness was harder to find in Industry, as local business owners, council members and residents gathered at the Pacific Palms Hotel Tuesday to support Senator Bob Huff.
While locals were happy to see the former Diamond Bar council member leading the 29th State Senate race, they were disheartened over Obama's re-election.
"I'm disappointed because [the presidential race] was so close," said Angella Sweatt, who is a member of the Diamond Bar Republican Women's Group.
Sweatt felt Romney's background in business could have helped turn the economy around.
"I've seen so many businesses go out of business locally. My husband was out of work for four months," she said. “People were afraid to spend any kind of money.”
Huff, who is a former Assemblyman and current State Senator, said he's been frustrated with Obama's agenda.
"I disagreed with many of the presidents’ policies," he said Tuesday night. "In the second term, we will find what the real president Obama is like."
"I would like to see less of the mentality that the job creators are the enemy, and I think that we have seen a kind of class warfare erupt in the last few years against the have and have-nots," he continued. "... We need to have government more accountable. And that’s at all levels."
Trisha Bowler, who serves as ambassador to Huff, was beyond upset at the news that Obama had been reelected.
"I'm just blown away," she said. "There is something mighty wrong in this country. This country is doomed. Romney would have been the perfect president. It just kills my soul."
Part 1 This post is intended for conservatives and people who believe in the principles that made America great, free and prosperous. Here is a great article by Erick Erickson of Redstate.com http://www.redstate.com/2012/11/08/we-forget/ We must raise our sites beyond the next election to the next generation. The left has been fighting for and winning the next generation almost by default for ~50 years. Only now, is our side that believes in the principles that made America great, free and prosperous, beginning to engage in the battle for the soul of America. "Culture is upstream of politics." Andrew Breitbart Please also see http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/11/06/Courage-for-the-Long-War-Ahead www.breitbart.com is an excellent site for conservative news and the “long war ahead.” “We must begin again anew talking conservatism as evangelists, not fellow travelers. We must remember we are not in a permanent decline, but a cycle of politics that is only permanent if we let it be.” Erick Erickson
Part 2 It will be hard to persuade many people to say “No” to Santa Clause and “yes” to liberty, opportunity and responsibility. But we know socialism/liberalism/leftism does not work. We know conservatism does work and that our principles are what made America great, free and prosperous. “The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.” Benjamin Franklin “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan “Never, never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in, except to convinctions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Winston Churchill “Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives.” John Adams So, “Be of cheerful heart. The world spins on and I fight on. Join me. Let’s take the country back as happy warriors for a cause we know is right that too many on our own side have forgotten is right.” Erick Erickson
So, before you start the revolution and demand to take the country back, remember, it is not yours to take. It belongs to all of us. If our leaders do not learn to negotiate, we will pay for their egos and power plays. Be careful what you wish for.
As for your constant references to "fair and balanced" facts from the likes of Redstate, Breitbart, and Blaze... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVwXA7sHUlE
What's the matter with you Steve? You want Republicans to deal with actual facts in actual context? That is a bridge way too far.
First of all, the $250K threshold is a NET figure....you'd have to make about $300K gross to wind up with a $250K NET....how many Americans are grossing 300K? And please recall that $300K is 6X the national household median income of about $50K!!!! So reality? If you're grossing like $350K and your taxable net is $300K (after all those current deductions that Romney wanted to eliminate but not enumerate) you'll pay 39% instead of 35% on the taxable $50K above $250K = a WHOPPING $2,000 tax increase on a couple grossing about $350K. Cry me a friggin river.
Another 121 points after that
With respect, Robert, I think the point Gayle is trying to make is that "falling off the fiscal cliff" (ending the Bush Tax Cuts for everyone) will have relatively more effect on the "disposable income" of those making taxable income less than $250,00 than those making more.
The point you seem to be missing is that the country dealt the Romney/Ryan ticket a big spanking. Not because Romney/Ryan were too liberal, but because they were perceived as being too conservative. The country also spanked a number of the Tea Party stars . The fact is that American voters are - by and large - centrist and incrementalist. Just like they rejected the idea of government-funded single-payer health insurance, they reject your plans for social security, medicare, medicaid, etc. American voters recognize what you seem inherently unable to see, that Obama is actually at most center-left. The left certainly sees that, and complains about it just as much as you folks do from the other side. However, as I said, I admire your strong commitment to absolutism, and I hope you and your colleagues continue it. Because of it, the Republican Party will suffer the same fate as the Democratic Party did in the late 60's and early 70's, when they went too far to the left. It's already happened in California, hasn't it? For at least the next two years, Republicans will have essentially no input into statewide policy. Thank you, Tea Party.
And William Korn, great words of reason above.
This is very good news. It's also pretty funny. I wonder if the billionaires have worked out yet whether they threw more down Karl Rove's rabbit hole (among others) than they would have spent letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy expire. Personally, if I was Karl Rove, I'd consider spending some of my ill-gotten gains on bodyguards. There are a lot of people with very extensive resources that have, or ought to have, a great big mad on him right now. As for me, I want to give Karl Rove a medal. I hope he tries the same strategy in 2014.
Now I want my Obama cell phone and my free minutes. Let me get food stamps and anything else our wonder President is giving away to the American people. Maybe he will pay my rent. What a wonderful man he is.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/cellphone.asp Betty is just exercising her God-given right to believe trash thrown at her by the Tea Party, Faux News, and other liars. There's nothing wrong with that, but it is kind of sad she's so gullible.