By Jan McNutt

The 2006 Colorado elections are safely behind us, and by all accounts the results are being hailed by many who felt shunned for the last six years.

Congressman Bob Beauprez and Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave seemed to be fighting for their lives more than fighting for the country and America's long tradition of government for the people. The 2006 pre-election campaign will surely go down in history as an exemplary exercise in bad taste and bad manners.

Come January, 2007 the slate will be wiped clean (sort of) and it stands ready to be chalked and wiped again until we get back on track with formulas that work for the young, the old, middle class, poor, even the upper classes and super wealthy, who have seen the bar go up with each new tax and defense issue. Who else is paying for the latest of President George W. Bush’s follies? The new Congress and Senate may not pan out as the panacea of perfection voters are hoping for, but at least those casting votes in D.C. on our behalf have a fresh new outlook on what Americans want. Americans said loud and clear they want to live in a free, safe, affordable, healthy and educated country. They want their concerns to be of primary interest to this new set of elected lawmakers.

U.S. Rep. Diane DeGette, Democrat from Denver, knows how hard-fought this election was. It was the bellwether for people of color, women, and minorities.

“This year's elections saw sweeping changes in Colorado and across the country resulting in a return to the majority for the Democratic Party in both the U.S. House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate,” she said, “Voters spoke in a resounding voice and demanded change. Change in leadership, change in our domestic policies and, of course, change in Iraq.”

The new Democratic majority has promised to focus on several key areas in the first 100 days of the next Congress. Said DeGette, “We will start by working to restore honest leadership and open government and fiscal responsibility. We will also raise the minimum wage, promote life-saving stem cell research, implement the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, repeal big oil subsidies, cut interest rates on student loans, and require Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. The new Democratic Congress will also ensure that the Bush Administration is held accountable for its policies by reinvigorating the system of checks and balances so important to our democracy.”

She added, “For women and minorities, this initial agenda is a good start in turning the focus in Congress back to issues which impact our everyday lives; health care, education, fairness and equal access to government, encouraging life saving medical research, and providing security for our nation and families.”

Former Colorado First Lady Dottie Lamm pointed out how women gained much in Congress and in the Colorado Legislature this year, and how groups like the White House Project in Colorado and Emily's List nationally were instrumental in bringing in the vote. “But,” she noted, “George Bush, himself, ‘elected’ more Democrats and thus more women. Women in office will make a difference for women and for minorities, not just because they are women but because they represent sensible reform on basic issues like health care, minimum wage and education."

Sandra Shreve, President of the Denver League of Women Voters, says that the League does not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties. It is a non-partisan organization. Regardless, she calculated, "the League would expect whoever is in the White House and U.S. Congress, the Governor's Mansion or State Capitol, the Mayor's Office, or City Council, to be responsive to the will and needs of the people. We want to see cooperation with other nations in the search for solutions to world problems and the promotion of peace.”

In Northern Colorado, Randy Fischer, Colorado State Legislature from Fort Collins, (won his first-time ever run for office by more than 21 percent). His campaign manager, Gina Janett, said the overwhelming victories stemmed from people's concerns for health care, education, and affordable college education. "The Democrats got the message," she said.

Voters made clear they want to get back to place where citizens feel confident in the laws and mandates elected lawmakers are making. They have said this administration has performed as if they were boasting about driving the most expensive car on the road while they ignored the wobbling wheels of justice, directed drivers to turn at the wrong “Y” in the road, and then tried to tell everyone not invited to ride in the luxury sedan that if you're not following them on their road in your inferior car then you are not worthy to drive on that road.

The caravan finally regrouped and said “forget it, we're turning here.” The elections proved, if nothing else, that Americans are savvy drivers and know in which direction they want to go. Even with two more years of this administration's arrogance and mishandling of money and lives, the majority of cars are now on the right road. The time for a productive Congress has arrived and while it is exciting and hopeful, there are still many potholes in the road to fill.