Yes, We Did!
History has been made, and we were all here to witness it: Barack Obama has been elected president of the United States. I cannot begin to express my relief, happiness, and pride at this accomplishment. It is not only an accomplishment for President-elect Obama, but also for the entire United States. We were able to put aside racial issues and elect whom we thought was the best man to lead us. This is the proudest I’ve been of my country in all of my adult life. This accomplishment is what makes the United States great. I have neglected my blog recently because other committments pushed it aside. I feel that I’ve missed a great opportunity to have my voice heard to a wider audience. However, I have been making my voice heard on a more personal level. This has been a tough and at times very derisive campaign. I’ve had arguments with friends and family alike. I’ve had my faith as a Catholic called into question because I refused to be a one issue voter on a label that is hung on candidates with no real conviction behind the label. Sure, McCain is Pro-life, but exactly what was his plan beyond appointing like-minded Supreme Court Justices to end abortion in this country? While Obama is Pro-Choice, he spoke of taking steps to reduce the number of abortions because even Pro-Choicers see abortion as a tragedy. I voted for Obama because abortion isn’t just a life issue, nor is it the only life issue, but it is also an economic issue.
But enough of that. The election is over. However, the hard work has just begun. Whether you voted for Obama or not, we all must heal our divisions, forget our arguments of the campaign, and come together to support our President-elect who on January 20th, 2009 will be handed the biggest mess that any president perhaps since Lincoln has ever had to deal with. Because of this mess, he may not be able to immediately enact some of the changes he spoke of on the campaign trail simply because there are more urgent matters that need taking care of and also because there is no money in the coffers to make some of these changes. His naysayers will hold this seeming inaction against him. Some supporters may view this as if he is breaking promises he made during the campaign. Barack Obama is a measured and thoughtful person, and we must give him time to prove himself before jumping to conclusions and derriding him for not living up to his promises. If you voted yesterday, as a citizen of the United States, I thank you for participating in the democratic process. Whether you voted for Obama or McCain, you made your voice heard in the most historic election of our nation’s history. You can tell your children and grandchildren about your accomplishment. However, I urge you not to stop there. Continue to participate in our democracy. Don’t just sit back and complain about what you don’t like. Write letters, send emails, or even make phone calls to your local, state, and federal representatives and continue to make your voice heard. Take to the streets and protest if you have to. If you feel so compelled, contact Barack Obama; I know he cares what you think.
Our standing thoughtout the world has declined during the Bush Administration. A new day is dawning, America. Let us work together to rebuild our nation and our reputation thoughout the world.
November 5, 2008 10:04 am 
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