The American election of 2010 has occurred. The public has voted, and decisions on the political life of 435 members of the House of Representatives and 37 Senators, along with a myriad of officials from every State in the Union, have been made. There were some surprises. But, in general the polls, which have grown in number and sophistication were correct in predicting the outcome.

I am not a political junkie. I have a modest interest in the political world, but generally from the point of view of my safety rather than waiting for a flash of wisdom. I want to watch what my leaders are doing so I can take safety measures, if at all possible, in my own life. I look at the utterances of all politicians with a general air of skepticism. It is my observation that the primary focus of all politicians, regardless of the level and responsibilities of their office, is to get reelected. I recognize that job security is a concern for all of us in the working world and politicians, being human (although that is something which will engender a debate in some circles) also want to keep their jobs.

What has astonished me this election, more so than elections in the past, is the unending series of programs with commentators discussing the meaning of the election. It is my personal observation that virtually every one of these august, wise observers of the body politic have it all wrong. They have become victims of their own beliefs, rather than carefully analyzing the meanings of the election.

The phrase that I hear over and over again from commentators of all political colors of the spectrum is how the message to the voters was badly conveyed. It was either not transmitted well, or badly designed, etc. But the comment is almost always about the message from the ruling groups, or even the loyal opposition, and how it was not well delivered. I think that is nonsense.

My observations of the American voter is that they have a low opinion of the political process, matched by an equally low opinion of the practitioners of the political life. Americans generally are interested in the World Series, professional football, Dancing with the Stars, reality TV, and gossip about members of the entertainment and sports worlds. They pay attention to politics when they have to, exercise their franchise (roughly 40% voted in this election, which is better than most off-year elections) and then go back to the interests of their own lives. Politics and government is not one of their major interests, nor perhaps even one of their minor interests. But they have to deal with it when the need arises.

But the American voter is very interested in his own life: his job, the general economy, the well being of his family and friends, and other facets of his surroundings. And, at the time of this election, he was not satisfied with the current state of his daily life. He did the one thing that almost voters do in such circumstances: he voted against the people in power. I think that this one fact explains the general wave of defeat encountered by the Democrats. The Republicans are euphoric. They seem to feel, as determined by their public statements, that the electorate has finally seen the wisdom of the Republican philosophy. I think that they are in for a very nasty shock two years down the road; and maybe sooner with the modest but real success of the Tea Party members.

There is a strong belief among political professionals (elected officials) that they have the answer, and the detailed theory to back it up. They are living in a dream world of their own making. Current polls indicate that the majority of the electorate has very little confidence in either party. Why? Because of the current lives that most people are living in the United States. Neither party has delivered, and the party in power loses when times are bad.

The statement, issued several weeks ago by the National Bureau of Economic Research that the recession ended in June 2009 (roughly 17 months ago) may be true in an academic sense, using standard accepted measures of economic behavior. Ask the generic member of the electorate if they believe that.

It is my opinion that if the economy is in good shape two years from now, and unemployment is down to 4-5%, inflation is under control, and people feel content with the future looking bright for them personally, and they are not worried about their jobs or their futures, then all (or most) of the incumbents will be reelected. This includes President Obama. If the situation in two years is similar to the current state of the economy, job market, real estate world, etc., then the Republicans will be defeated, President Obama will be a one term president, and the Democrats will again come to the victory celebration.

The pundits are clever, well educated, and very experienced in national and local politics. But their theory that if the politicians had simply given the right message to the American electorate the results of the election would have been different. Nonsense. It is actions, not words that count. And people are still worried about their jobs, their lives, and their futures.