Obama Wins…And Now, We Move On!
I was watching Charlie Gibson when the clock stroke 11pm and the polls were closed in California. Charlie announced that they were ready to call the election winner as…Barack Obama. I wept at this announcement. I then went and woke my children so they could witness this event, this moment that will be recorded in history books for years and years to come. I wanted them to be able to tell their children someday that they had watched this man, this hopeful and hope invoking leader, accept his win. To be able to tell the story of how they sat in their living room with their mom as she wept not from sadness or fear but because she was finally encouraged that the future of America would be fixed for them and their children and their children after them.
I am so proud of my country. I woke up bursting with joy that my fellow American citizens went out in drove to elect this man. To give this man, Barack Obama, with the funny name, and the big ears, and the black skin, to give him a chance. I am proud that my generation is involved enough in the happenings of this country that they stood in lines that wrapped around buildings, to give this man an opportunity to lead us into a future that may be unsure and uncertain, but will absolutely be altered because of this decision.
If you went out and cast a vote, then I am proud of you! Even if you voted for another candidate, I am proud that you took part in the shaping of this country and it’s government. We don’t have to agree on any topic, other than that WE are in this together. We love America and we are Americans and that alone makes us allies. Whether we see anything else the same, that alone makes us countrymen. And if you are a fellow American who voted yesterday then thanks and God Bless You!
On this note I will leave you with my favorite part of his victory speech last night: I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college.
Get to the polls and Make A Choice!
Hively came home with some baseball cards a buddy gave him, among them was a John McCain card. He made up a song to sing while he danced it around. It goes to the tune of Hail To The Chief:
You won’t be in the White House in January.
You aren’t going to win this election.
(Sure, it is short but sweet. Very, very sweet. Especially that he actually said Jan-a-wary, that was my favorite part of all. )
Red asked if you can keep running for The Office every 4 years or if there is a limit on how many times you can run. She also wanted to confirm that you can only serve two four year terms.
My point being, I am proud to be raising politically educated children. Sure they may grow up and vote for someone other than my choice but as long as they vote, I am proud. Voting is a privilege a lot of other countries would love to have. This is a privilege our ancestors fought for; especially our African American and woman ancestors.
So yes, I was up at 5:30 and at my polling place at 6:40 am and I gladly stood there and waited because I appreciate that I live in a democracy and I get a say in who I want to lead my country.
Do the same today – OK!
If you need assistance in http://www.govote.org/ is a great site. Just enter your zip and you get all the info you need.
You have until 8pm so get going!
Oh – and when you are done, don’t forget to collect your swag!
Starbucks – a free tall coffee, Krispy Kreme – a free doughnut and Ben & Jerry’s – a free scoop.
