We are still feeling the effects of the 2010 midterms today. Because of the results of those midterms, the GOP were able to implement redistricting that along with low voter turnout, allows certain members of Congress to be as obstructionist, misogynistic, homophobic, racist, bigoted, or indifferent as they like and still keep their Congressional seat.

As a result, we have had a House that won’t pass job bills, will cut off of food stamps, long term unemployment insurance, would endangerment of our credit level, our ability to pay our debts. They have also slashed needed services like meals on wheels, headstart, the small business administration, etc.

The average American has been made to suffer because the Republicans control the House and the State Houses and Governorships of several “red” states. Interesting these red states, who are populated with people who are as American as anyone else in any other state are, by the design of their governors and State legislators, are being denied expansion of Medicaid and other services that will help these people simply survive. These states tend to be the ones where they already get far more from the federal government (funded from those in blue states) than they pay in just to make ends meet. Yet their governors want to take more away from them and make their own people suffer. Why? Apparently so they’ll blame the Black Democrat in office who held out a helping hand to them, only to have their governor bite it. Childish to say the very least.

This year, all 435 House seats are up for grabs, as are 35 Senate seats and 36 Governor Seats. An untold number of state houses and senate seats are also up for grabs. Many of these seats are gerrymandered, but not all. Further, US Senate seats and governorships are state-wide votes.

Studies clearly show the more people able to vote and the more people who do vote ends up with more centrist, even liberal/progressive results. Despite their propaganda, when you poll specific items, we are a center-left nation. More center than left, but certainly not a rightwing leaning nation to be sure.

Most Americans are for fairness, equal rights, and equal opportunities. The things those on the right oppose. Because of their faux Christian values that have been drilled into them, they think only a few chosen people are deserving of living well and the rest of us must cater to them in servitude.

So no matter what, you have the option of determining who will represent you in the House of Representatives. Is your current representative working for your best interest or theirs? It’s perfectly normal and acceptable to vote for your own best interests because by doing so, you end up also voting for others in your situation’s best interest.

The following Senate seats are up for grabs in 2014:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_elections,_2014

Alabama currently held by Republican Jeff Sessions running for reelection unopposed.

Alaska currently held by Democrat Mark Begich running for reelection against multiple candidates.

Arkansas currently held by Democrat Mark Pryor running for reelection.

Colorado currently held by Democrat Mark Udall running for reelection against multiple candidates.

Delaware currently held by Democrat Chris Coons running for reelection unopposed.

Georgia currently held by Republican Saxby Chambliss who is retiring. Open seat

Hawaii currently held by Democrat Bryan Schatz running for reelection.

Idaho currently held by Republican Jim Risch running for reelection unopposed.

Illinois currently held by Democrat Richard Durbin running for reelection against multiple candidates.

Iowa currently held by Democrat Tom Harkin who is retiring. Open seat.

Kansas currently held by Republican Pat Roberts running for reelection.

Kentucky currently held by Republican Mitch McConnell running for reelection against multiple candidates.

Louisiana currently held by Democrat Mary Landrieu running for reelection against multiple candidates.

Maine currently held by Republican Susan Collins running for reelection against multiple candidates.

Massachusetts currently held by Democrat Ed Markey running for reelection unopposed.

Michigan currently held by Democrat Carl Levin who is retiring. Open seat.

Minnesota currently held by Democrat Al Franken running for reelection against multiple candidates.

Mississippi currently held by Republican Thad Cochran running for reelection.

Montana currently held by Democrat Max Baucus who is retiring. Open seat.

Nebraska currently held by a Republican Mike Johanns who is retiring. Open seat.

New Hampshire currently held by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen running for reelection against multiple candidates.

New Jersey currently held by Democrat Cory Booker running for reelection unopposed.

New Mexico currently held by Democrat Tom Udall running for reelection.

North Carolina currently held by a Democrat Kay Hagan running for reelection against multiple candidates.

Oklahoma currently held by Republican Jim Inhofe running for reelection.

Oregon currently held by Democrat Jeff Merkley running for reelection against multiple candidates.

Rhode Island currently held by a Democrat Jack Reed running for reelection unopposed.

South Carolina, both seats currently held Republicans Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott both running for reelection.

South Dakota currently held by Democrat Tim Johnson who is retiring. Open seat.

Tennessee currently held by Republican Lamar Alexander running for reelection against multiple candidates.

Texas currently held by Republican John Cornyn running for reelection against multiple candidates.

Virginia currently held by Democrat Mark Warner running for reelection against multiple candidates.

West Virginia currently held by Democrat Jay Rockefeller who is retiring. Open seat.

Wyoming, currently held Republican Mike Enzi running for reelection

Note, 21 out of the 35 seats are held by Democrats. As of today, the outcome is anyone call whether the Democrats can maintain control or not. Voter turnout will be key.

The following 36 Governorships are up for grabs in 2014:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_gubernatorial_elections,_2014#Rick_Scott_.28Florida.29

Alabama currently held by Republican Bentley. Considered safe for GOP.

Alaska currently held by Republican Parnell. Considered safe for GOP

Arizona currently held by Republican Brewer (Term Limited). Leaning GOP.

Arkansas currently held by Democrat Beebe (Term Limited) Toss-up

California currently held by Democrat Brown. Considered safe for DNC.

Colorado currently held by Democrat Hickenlooper. Likely DNC.

Connecticut currently held by Democrat Malloy. Toss-up

Florida currently held by Republican Scott. Toss-up

Georgia currently held by Republican Deal. Considered safe for GOP

Hawaii currently held by Democrat Abercrombie. Considered safe for DNC.

Idaho currently held by Republican Otter. Considered safe for GOP

Illinois currently held by Democrat Quinn. Toss-up

Iowa currently held by Republican Branstad. Likely GOP.

Kansas currently held by Republican Brownback. Likely GOP

Maine currently held by Republican LaPage. Toss-up

Maryland currently held by Democrat O’Malley. Likely DNC

Massachusetts currently held by Democrat Patrick. Toss-up

Michigan currently held by Republican Snyder. Toss-up

Minnesota currently held by Democrat Dayton. Likely DNC

Nebraska currently held by Republican Heineman. Likely GOP.

Nevada currently held by Republican Sandoval. Likely GOP

New Hampshire currently held by Democrat Hassan. Likely DNC

New Mexico currently held by Republican Martinez. Likely GOP

New York currently held by Democrat Cuomo. Considered safe for DNC.

Ohio currently held by Republican Kasich. Toss-up

Oklahoma currently held by Republican Fallon. Considered safe for GOP

Oregon currently held by Democrat Kitzhaber. Likely DNC

Pennsylvania currently held by Republican Corbett. Toss-up

Rhode Island currently held by Democrat Chafee. Leaning DNC.

South Carolina currently held by Republican Haley. Leaning GOP.

South Dakota currently held by Republican Daugaard. Considered safe for GOP

Tennessee currently held by Republican Haslam. Considered safe for GOP

Texas currently held by Republican Perry. Likely GOP

Vermont currently held by Democrat Shumlin.  Considered safe for DNC

Wisconsin currently held by Republican Walker. Likely GOP

Wyoming currently held by Republican Mead. Considered safe for GOP

22 of these 36 are currently under GOP control. Of those 13 can be swung to the DNC if voter turnout is high enough.

Get the idea? Despite the current GOP holders of any office, the higher the turnout, the more likely the results swing towards the left. Of course the opposite is true, the lower the turnout, the more likely a Democratic control seat can go Right. As always, turnout is key.

Further, don’t forget to turnout for the primaries. If you want more progressive Democrats running for Democratic seats, primary those who lean too far to the right and get better folks in. However, if unsuccessful, still vote for the Democrat in the General. This is the only way to take the GOP out of control of the Governor Seats and House and bring at least more sanity to government.

More to follow.