The loss of the "Senate-lock" seat... also known now as "the People's Seat" in Massachusetts... means an eventual change in the way the Democratic Party controlled Congress must deal with Republican opposition... or hindrance, depending on your viewpoint.
In the short term, look for Sen. Reid and Rep. Pelosi to try to rush through whatever they can before the new Sen. Scott Brown is seated. Also look for whatever delaying tactics the Democratic Party can dig up to delay Sen. Brown from being seated.
[source]The payers are standing up and saying that the spenders need to stop their spending and must jump through hoops to get permission to spend more in the future. Disregarding the Massachusetts warning ensures that 2012 will see far more change than President Obama ever dreamed about....