A New Day

The people have spoken; better days filled with hope are ahead. My mind is spinning out of control today. I'm consumed with so many thoughts and emotions. As I stood in line to vote yesterday I was overcome with emotion and a sense of pride in my country. Often during that hour and a half that I stood in line, tears filled my eyes as I thought about what was at stake. The people of America had a duty yesterday, a duty to voice their opinion on what direction they wanted the future of America to go.

While the polls were certainly favoring Sen. Obama, I was fairly nervous as the outcome of elections lay in the hands of the voters and there were so many extraneous variables - all I could do was wait.

It's safe to say that everyone in the world is now aware that Barack Obama is President-elect of the United States of America.

As a democrat, obviously this is good news to me. As I watched the remarkable scene from Chicago last night I, as a minor addict, was browsing the statuses of fellow Facebook users. Several were statements of joy and excitement, many reflected the historic nature of the event and huge step forward that America had taken. We were all waiting for the President-elect to take the stage and set the tone for tomorrow.

My almost euphoric state began to diminish as I continued to read the Facebook statuses. Several were hateful, unfounded, and just unhappy statements about what had just taken place. I was reminded that this isn't a united country and while this election was an incredible step in the right direction, there is still so much work to do - difficult work.

A lot of concern seems to be around this idea that Sen. Obama, I suppose I can now refer to him as President-elect Obama, is this extreme liberal who is going to destroy the country. Without getting into too much policy discussion, I would have to disagree. Research suggests time and time again that democrats are much better in restoring a thriving economy, an economy that works for all Americans. It seems to me that this emphasis that people are placing on taxes is unwarranted. Obama's tax policy will essentially take us back to the tax rates of the Clinton years. I would argue that during that time no one went bankrupt from their tax rate. Do people really think that Obama's goal is to tax people to the point of having nothing? This view seems to be just as extreme as they view Obama to be.

The older I get the more I realize that extremes don't get much accomplished. All extreme views do is divide and I would say that the country doesn't need to be any further divided than it has already become. I would like to live in an America in which all people are taken care of, no one is left behind - an America that embraces people of all walks of life. We aren't there yet - but the day is coming.

Sen. Obama began last night, "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

"It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America." This is the America I hope we can all strive for.

The most important passage from Obama's speech is one that I hope is repeated. It reads, "Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too."

We have to join as one, there is perhaps not been a period in my lifetime when unity is more important. Our ideas and philosophies may never be all the same, but it is time that we put aside our personal pride, start a civil discussion, and get things moving in a positive direction for all Americans.

Our country is changing, and I might add changing rapidly. It is up to us to make sure that the change is in the right direction - the direction that was set forth by our found fathers. That all people are created equal and desire the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is our duty, as Americans, to work for a more perfect Union. We aren't there yet, but yesterday proved to me that this a pretty darn cool place.