Open Source Radio has an interesting idea for their show tonight. They've asked several bloggers including me to answer the question, "was it good for you?". They aren't looking for wonky analysis of the outcome, but rather how it will affect our lives this year, next year, and going forward.

My response after the fold...

Earlier this morning, I was wondering if it would have much effect at all without a majority in the Senate. But now that it appears Democrats have taken control of both houses, things could actually change for the better. Or at least the damage can be contained. As for how the changes might affect me and mine personally, I can think of several things.

My taxes could very likely go up if the Bush tax cuts are not made permanent. On the other hand, with some oversight in place maybe Congress will be able to get some of the deficit spending under control and rein in some of the fraud and waste, minimizing the need for tax increases.

At least for a couple of years I will feel a little more assured that my Social Security and Medicare benefits that I have paid for all my working life will be there when I need them. At my age, this is pretty important. Bush said in his press conference today that entitlements are a big issue and he wants to work with Congress to reform (i.e. eliminate) these underfunded programs. Maybe they would be fully funded if Congress hadn't been raiding the Treasury and leaving IOUs in the Social Security lock box for so long.

Fortunately, this never got anywhere even with a Republican controlled Congress, and I expect even more resistance from Democrats. And maybe they'll even fix this absurd Medicare prescription drug program, and require pharmaceutical companies to negotiate with the government. This could have an immediate ripple effect even for those not on Medicare. Hopefully we can start to get all of this under control and start looking at some real reforms that address the changing needs of an aging American demographic.

I'm also hoping we can start straightening out the problems at the VA to reduce the backlog of benefit claims and make sure all veterans are getting the benefits they were promised and that they deserve. This affects my family personally (as do the Social Security and Medicare programs) because of my Dad, a WWII veteran and ex-POW.

I am hopeful there will be a top to bottom review of environmental regulations and particularly the Bush rollbacks. Requiring TVA and other coal-fired power producers to clean up their act could provide immediate health benefits and slow the destruction of our natural environment. This will pay off for generations to come.

Better preservation and management of our natural resources will protect our wilderness and wildlife for the enjoyment and benefit of the people. Hopefully we can even restore funding for the National Park Service and get our National Parks back in the shape they should be in.

Along with this, I'm hoping that Congress will take a close look at raising CAFE standards by a few miles per gallon. This would have an immediate impact on our foreign oil dependency, help keep energy prices low, and also help the environment. Although I don't see it as a long term solution, I also think stepping up incentives for manufacturing and owning hybrid cars will bring some quick, short-term relief. It's a technology we already have, it works, and it just needs a little push to achieve critical mass in the marketplace so it can be more affordable.

Along those same lines, it is time to start making real investments in research and development of alternative energy sources instead of just paying lip service to the public while energy companies stay the course on a dead-end road.

I am also hopeful that we can start taking a serious look at solving the health care crisis in America. Insuring the 50 million uninsured will help keep costs under control for everyone. An overhaul of our insurance and health care provider/delivery system will help ensure access to affordable health insurance and quality care. I'm self-employed and fortunate to be able to get insurance through my company. Not everyone is so lucky. And I could be just one claim away from being canceled or having premiums go up for everybody on the plan. Medicaid is also seriously overburdened to the point of being broken, especially in Tennessee. All of this needs to be fixed.

Congress also has an opportunity for a top to bottom review of No Child Left Behind. I am hoping for some real education reforms. Business people want an educated work force, and if a region or even a nation can't provide it they will go somewhere else. We also need to be training the next generation of scientists and engineers if we expect to compete.

One of Congress's first priorities will be to raise the federal minimum wage. Some say this will be a burden for small businesses. On the contrary, states that have done it on their own have seen modest improvements in economic growth. The fewer people we have living in poverty, the better off all of us are.

I am not sure what we can do to unravel the damage done to our reputation in the world, but solving the problem in Iraq and reestablishing diplomatic ties with our long-time allies is in everyone's best interest. Further, the cost of the war is draining our economy and it's not clear to most people what the return on that investment is in terms of national security. Worse, our debt and our deficit spending to fund it are going to come home to roost in terms of inflation and higher interest rates if something isn't done. And I don't know what will happen if China and all the other countries we are indebted to decide to call in their markers, but I don't imagine it will be pretty.

Addressing all of these issues will help stimulate our economy, create new opportunity, and help restore America's reputation and be more competitive in the global marketplace. A better educated workforce, higher standards of living, a cleaner environment, affordable health care, reducing poverty and protecting seniors in their retirement years help make a better society and make America a great place to live, invest and do business. And that's good for everybody.