Politics sometimes has a tendency to be more give than take. And not in that whole "makers vs. takers" Fox Newsy way, but in the way that often times when people put in a lot of passion, time and effort into a political cause or campaign, they get back empty promises, disappointment or, in some cases, nothing at all. But this Thanksgiving, just weeks after the end of an extremely long campaign season, many people again have cause for optimism and even gratitude. Even though politics should really somehow be thanking you, we're asking what you're thankful for in the world of politics this year. Below, we've collected our list, as well as some submissions from other HuffPost readers. Leave us yours in the comments sections below.

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  • The Election Actually Being Over

    Try as it might, Florida was unable to force a lengthy recount that would have inevitably ruined Thanksgiving.

  • Mitt Romney Being OK

    He even <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/20/mitt-romney-gas-photo_n_2165651.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular">pumped his own gas</a>, and then <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/21/mitt-romney-disneyland-fo_n_2170115.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics">made his way to Disneyland</a>. It's not so bad.

  • Regular Thanksgiving Arguments

    With the elections in the rearview, perhaps families can return to talking about football, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turducken">how many different animals</a> it is <a href="http://bacontoday.com/turbaconducken-turducken-wrapped-in-bacon/">appropriate to stuff</a> inside of one another and eat. <em>(If you don't eat meat, don't click on the previous links.)</em>

  • Voters Taking Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.)

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/20/allen-west-concedes_n_2163837.html">Eventually...</a>

  • But Leaving Us Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.)

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/michele-bachmann-election-results_n_2086965.html">Barely.</a>

  • Americans Not Digging Ridiculous Rape Comments

    In a sad electoral trend this year, a bunch of Republican candidates decided to give stupid and offensive answers to questions about rape exceptions for abortions. They were <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/11/republican-rape-caucus-crumbles">roundly rejected</a> by voters at the polls.

  • Karl Rove's Embarrassment

    It's not easy being that wrong about something.

  • Gifts, Things & Stuff

    According to Mitt Romney and other conservative pundits, President Barack Obama got reelected solely on the promise of voters getting whoozits and thingamajigs. Bring on the free goodies!

  • Marriage Equality

    Maine, Maryland and Washington <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/gay-marriage-results_n_2074188.html">went three-for-three</a>, all voting to legalize same-sex marriage this year. Voters in Minnesota also rejected a measure that would have added a passage to the state constitution explicitly denying same-sex couples the right to marry.

  • Legal Marijuana

    Colorado and Washington <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/marijuana-legalization-results_n_2074168.html">took steps to legalize and tax</a> the plant, while Massachusetts voted to approve it for medicinal purposes.

  • The First Openly Gay Senator

    Congratulations to Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).

  • Deferred Action

    The Obama administration announced this year that it wouldn't deport young undocumented immigrants who met certain criteria. More than 4,600 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/12/deferred-action-undocumented-immigrants_n_1962650.html">have already been granted</a> deferred action.

  • Increasing Access To Health Care

    The mountain of promises to overturn President Obama's health care law won't be kept, now that he remains in office. The administration recently made a big move, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/20/health-care-reform-rules_n_2165152.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular">releasing a "Patients' Bill of Rights"</a> to let Americans know what they can expect under the health care overhaul.

  • A Climate Change Awakening?

    "The recent wake up on Climate Change! The UN, the World Bank, and today leading international investors all calling for immediate and serious action on climate from President Obama and other world leaders. Money talks, and it's shouting now." -- Pat Field Ravasio <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HuffPostPolitics/posts/10151170543902911?comment_id=317191406&offset=0&total_comments=333">via Facebook</a>

  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg Being Able To Retire In Peace

    Not that we think she should. But if she wants to, she'll likely feel better knowing that it won't be Mitt Romney nominating her Supreme Court replacement.

  • No More Political Advertising

    Now you can finally remember how terrible normal advertising is.

  • No More Horse Race Polls

    Ignoring for a second <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/2012-poll-accuracy-obama-models-survey_n_2087117.html">just how accurate our Pollster team was</a>, we won't miss the ups and downs of daily poll tracking.

  • No More Political Yard Signs

    The grass is always greener when you can actually see it.

  • An Emptier Email Inbox

    The email fundraising pleas have finally subsided, leaving inboxes with plenty of room to fill up with more generic spam offering Viagra and opportunities to claim a share of a Nigerian prince's inheritance.

  • Twitter & Facebook Returning To Normal Suck Levels

    Don't worry, there will still be plenty of annoying stuff without the deluge of political posts.

  • Sleep

    If you've been working these elections -- or even just following them religiously -- you know what we're talking about.

  • Hank The Cat

    And <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/13/hank-the-cat-virginia-petition_n_2124326.html">he'll join the private sector</a>, where he can make more money and live a long life away from the prying eyes of the public. Catnip away, Hank!

  • An LGBT Ally

  • Not Forgetting About Joe

    "And, Joe Biden, too." -- Mary S Morris <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HuffPostPolitics/posts/10151170543902911?comment_id=317190197&offset=300&total_comments=333">via Facebook</a>

  • Women In Politics

  • Veterans & The Wars Ending

    "I am thankful the wars are coming to an end. And our veterans are coming home. We need to be there for them, and show THEM our gratitude." -- Shari Greer <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HuffPostPolitics/posts/10151170543902911?comment_id=317190294&offset=200&total_comments=333">via Facebook</a>

  • Obama's Second Term

  • Sasha And Malia Getting To Stay In School

    "Obama's re-election--so Sasha and Malia don't have to change schools!" -- Ellen Joyce <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HuffPostPolitics/posts/10151170543902911?comment_id=317190241&offset=250&total_comments=333">via Facebook</a>

  • Perseverance

    "I'm thankful for all the great Americans that stood in line for hours to vote. You make me proud. I am also thankful for President Obama. You are my hero." -- Carol Lacy <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HuffPostPolitics/posts/10151170543902911?comment_id=317190411&offset=150&total_comments=333">via Facebook</a>

  • Voter Suppression Failing

  • Voters' Voices

  • Gaffes

  • Republican Primaries

    Not yet, at least.

  • The Internet

  • These Things, Lest We Forget...

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