Take this to the bank:  some things will get better, other things will get worse.  The Democrats' success will be measured to what extent they can put aside ideology in favor of ideas that work.  Some of those will be essentially conservative with other situations calling for a "progressive" approach.  I wouldn't get your hopes up.  Once the Democrats consolidate their power, they'll begin to make the same sorts of mistakes that ultimately did in the Republicans.  Having lived through the Jimmy Carter era, I don't have much faith.