"......the election was a de facto referendum on the economy...."
Correct! The American voters rejected the do-nothing, tax cuts for the rich, sit on your hands, deregulating, policies of Republican Party. Because of the ultra-loyalty of the Republican Party, George W. Bush and the Republicans created this financial mess we are in now. We don't want to go down the same road again with Mitch McConnell and John Boehner leading the way. Americans voted for hope and change. If the Republicans don't want to support the country's recovery, then let them be viewed as obstructionists.
It is time to stand up and let McConnell, Boehner, and the rest of the GOPers know that we are pushing for change and jobs, with or without them.