9:27 a.m. - 2008-11-05
hope
Yesterday was truly historic.
The importance of America's decision is hard to put into words.
I spent many moments during the last 18 months or so having conversations with people who called Obama names, insulted his background, diminished his experience and badmouthed him based on his name and race. I heard him called a muslim, a socialist, a communist, an extremist and a terrorist.
During the pimaries, people said that America wasn't "ready" for a black president. I heard more than one family member and acquaintance of mine tell me I was dreaming and that it would "never" happen.
And now...he is going to be our president. President Obama. It is music to my ears.
I have more or less hated the head of our government for 8 years. When Clinton was in office, I was kind of indifferent, having not fully formed my political positions until sometime after college. I didn't have a problem with him - I thought he was fine...although that whole Monica scandal was a shame and kind of sucked. I didn't realize how much I should have appreciated those times, when we weren't dumping billions and billions of dollars into a war we can't really "win."
For 8 years we have been, many of us, unwillingly, "led" by a man who lied to us, forced us into a bloody war under false pretenses and has cut the taxes of the wealthy for no good reason.
President Obama will not be perfect. He will make some mistakes. He will make decisions that many disagree with. But a new chapter has begun. No longer will those of us with more liberal views feel impotent and helpless. I believe Obama will reach across the aisle, garner the support of the best and brightest and find some solutions to some of our most desperate problems such as our dependence on foreign oil and our broken education system. I believe he will do the best he can with what we have been dealt in terms of the economy and Iraq - neither problem is simple or quickly fixable.
I particularly apprecicate how many times Obama has said that to fix the economy, we will all have to make changes. We each have a part in this. We must live within our means. We must consider the effects our actions and choices have on others.
I believe Obama will reach out to world leaders to heal the wounds inflicted by Bush the Cowboy, and establish and re-establish lasting partnerships with mutually beneficial goals.
Many times in the past 8 years I have heard more conservative people put forth the argument that even if you don't agree with the president, the patriotic thing to do is support and respect him. I wonder, sadly, how many will be singing a different tune.
I am beyond excited. I am thrilled. I am relieved. I have hope.
