Why did America shift from blue to red?

The victory of the Republicans in the November 5 US presidential, senatorial, congressional and gubernatorial elections is a sure signal that the culture of the American people has already been transformed radically. From the great ideals of their founding fathers, the modern world and the dizzying onslaught of technology have America captives of less profound and less sublime values. This is no longer the America of Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt and Kennedy.

The American voters opted to give up their values that put a premium on human dignity, human rights, honor, decency and integrity in public service. The call of Donald Trump to rid America of aliens and the threat to cancel many social welfare benefits did resonate with more voters than the call of Kamala Harris for more freedom from government interference. The majority of Americans believe that the economy is more important than freedom and human rights. The use by Trump and his drum beaters of social media, his alliance with Elon Musk and his displayed high handed approaches to issues and concerns got a positive response from the American voters.

The election results showed that money and jobs are more compelling to the US electorate than values of ethics, morality and integrity. This is no longer the America that I used to admire and held in high esteem. The message that was conveyed by the election results include: a resounding warning against immigrants, against Hispanics, Asians, Arabs and even their own Puerto Ricans. America will have more autocratic leadership in the White House. The Republican controlled Senate will most probably confirm ultra conservative judges and justices that Trump is set to appoint. The Republican controlled House will readily obey any funding imposition from the White House.

Many Americans and foreign observers never expected that the swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin shifted to the Republicans, even as Georgia and North Carolina, as expected, went to the party of Trump. The same was true for Nevada and Arizona. Trump lost to Hillary Clinton in 2016 by the popular vote but won the electoral college votes. But last week, Trump won both the popular and the electoral votes. Even many Hispanics and black voters went to the side of Trump. Just prior to election day, the momentum was for the Democrats. But Trump had a secret strategy and the Democrats were outplanked, outsmarted and outspent.

The Republicans are in complete control of the US government, the White House, the Capitol, both Senate and House and even the Supreme Court with more justices appointed by Republican presidents than by Democrats. In the Senate, from a deadlocked number of 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans and one independent, it is now only 43 Democrats and 56 Republicans with one independent. Even under a 49 to 49 set up until December 2024, the Democrats have control with the independent leaning towards them and with the Vice President Kamala Harris presiding and voting with the Democrats. In the House =, from a slim majority of 220 Republicans to 222, they retain control. The Democrats have only 213.

The Republicans have now 27 governors, the Democrats have only 23 of the 50 states of the USA. America is now a red state. I hope they realize that, wits so much power comes so many responsibilities. The ball is in the hands of the Red Republicans. Let us see if they can solve all the problems, stand up to Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin and stop the wars in Gaza and in Ukraine. Let us see if they can outperform the Blue Democrats. The real proof the pudding is in the eating.