EDITORIAL: Elections reflect mood of the U.S.

The historic midterm election reveals much about what America wants from its officials. Tuesday's election was historic in many regards. On the one hand, Republicans retained control of both houses of Congress for the third straight time, a feat the party had not accomplished for 70 years. Yet at the same time, Democrats made gains in a midterm election when the person in the White House was a member of their party -- and during the second term of his presidency, no less -- which is exceedingly rare. Overall, Democrats gained five seats in the House of Representatives; there was no change in the Senate. So what can we make of these election results? The lack of contentment with the outgoing Congress stems from the legislative body's inaction on the issues that are most important to Americans. During the past session, Congress failed to pass legislation on campaign finance reform, education, health care and tobacco -- despite the express will of the American people. As a result, voters demonstrated their discontentment by electing candidates with clear platforms based on inclusiveness -- recognizing the importance of social issues irregardless of political party. Moreover, employing divisiveness to sway voters clearly failed. Americans refused to allow the President's impending impeachment hearings to cloud their beliefs on the real issues -- or, it can be argued, they stated loud and clear that Clinton's behavior should be considered outside the realm of public policy. Similarly, Rep. Charles Schumer defeated longtime Sen. Alfonse D'Amato after a particularly attack-laden campaign, one in which D'Amato crudely tried to use the Holocaust to sway Jewish voters against a candidate who is Jewish himself. But not all races can be characterized by bad behavior from start to finish. In particular, the Bush brothers' successful gubernatorial races in Florida and Texas are models of the politics of inclusion. Jeb and George W. Bush, both traditional Republicans in many respects, focused on issues like education and social welfare that many voters have long associated with Democrats. By reaching out to minority voters and poorer members of the community, these two candidates proved that politics is about more than padding the campaign coffers. The Bush brothers focused on issues that are important to their constituencies -- and won. The lesson, for the newly elected, is to go to Washington, D.C., with the intent of actually passing the legislation voters care about. And for the American people, the lesson is to hold elected officials responsible by using our power to vote to its fullest.