In 2006 and 2008, Democrats took over the House and Senate, in a cleansing move made to wash away the rampant corruption and cronyism of the Republican congressional era. With the White House in hand in 2008, a flood of legislation made it's way out, securing civil rights, helping the less fortunate, and ensuring justice. The ACA (Obamacare) was the jewel in the crown.
In 2008, there was also the great Bush crash, where the stock and housing markets tanked, and the jobless numbers swelled. Republicans pushed back against every recovery option they could, in an effort to kill a recovery and the chances of the president getting a second term. The economy recovered, albeit much more slowly than desired. They also prevented the closing of Gitmo, and forced the president to compromise on many issues.
As a result, the Republicans rode into the House in 2010 on a wave of anti-Obama fervor from the Republicans and malaise on the part of Democrats and independents. Republicans promised JOBS JOBS JOBS. The turnout also helped secure Republican leadership at the state level, which they leveraged during a census year to gerrymander districts to ensure a permanent Republican majority in the state houses.
So what has happened since? They keep talking about the budget deficit, but the main legislative initiatives they focus on both nationally and at the state levels revolve around a severe anti-woman, pro-Christian (and thus unconstitutional) idealism.
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