I know that some people, many of whom friends and family of mine, are sad or disappointed or fearful today due to the election results, but I am elated... and I'd like to explain (for journaling purposes, mainly) why.
Until recently, I have been a pretty non-loyal, unpatriotic American. I always said (forgive me, Nelson) that if there was a draft, we were most definitely high-tailing it to Canada. I never thought as many people do, that America is the best country in the world. I saw that we had made huge leaps and bounds in the past... but our future seemed bleak, and a lot of the things I felt America was representing were not things I was ultimately proud of (corruption, over-consumption, greed, ignorance...). I also often felt that in elections, we were voting for the "lesser evil" ... which didn't add to my patriotism.
Then I saw Obama. Or heard him, rather. It isn't that he is a black man. I obviously know he is black, but it has no bearings - positive or otherwise - on my opinion of him. He seems to be a dignified, intelligent person... black, white, purple or green. It's just that I heard what he had to offer, and I felt like he was (unlike most politicians) being fairly honest with me. I can't really explain it. But I heard his hope for America, and I --- I don't know -- perked up a little. My ears went up (think: dog), and I listened. And the more I listened, the more my brain put the pieces together and it all seemed logical and POSSIBLE. And my non-partied (D/R) self clung to this new idea of HOPE.Finally, somebody wasn't scared to say (and these are NOT his words; I'm paraphrasing), "America sucks in lots of ways. But it is amazing and wonderful in a billion other ways... and it's still the best country in the world... we just need to work on those sucky things so we can rise again." I'm not sure if this is clear. It's a real gutteral (lol- in my gut, wow... this is an awesome post) thing, and I am having a hard time explaining. Obviously.
Point is: With this whole election, my hope was restored in our country. Even if Obama didn't win, I think that effect would be lasting. McCain and Palin had a TON to offer, too, and I wasn't even sure about my vote until fairly recently. But when Obama won... I felt IMMENSELY proud to be an American! I'm excited to see how the next few years play out. I am proud of our nation for recognizing that a black man is just a man is just a man is just a man. I think Americans can hold their heads high. We can have hope. We can be proud.
16 comments:
Ya well I won't shoot you since Obama wants to outlaw guns and I won't get the chance. (just kidding I would't shoot you anyway) But sorry to say I am not excited, I think he is fine, and Change is a great thing to think about and his speeches really were good, (whoever writes for him should get an award). And now he is chosen i will accept that, but the actual changes he is proposing I do not like. I won't get into all of them, but ya not a fan. So I will do my part and when those changes come about or they are put to congress, i will excersise my rights as an american and write letters to my congressman (yup I have turned into one of those people). So he seems like a fine person, but really has anyone actually read what he is actually proposing?!
hmm, i also disagree with a lot of what Obama stands for. I think that you caught what a lot of other people caught - a cute guy, with good public speaking skills, and not a lot to back them up. Not that I'm a huge McCain fan either though.
We'll have to discuss this all over dinner tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it!
Wow Bec, we should talk politics some time. I also voted for Obama so if you come over I definitely won't shoot you. Seriously we will have to talk. You were very articulate by the way.
Bec. Good job with your words...although I would have just put it in a real journal (more private). The real thing I'm worried about is not the president, but rather- your choice of friends...who's this commenting that Obama is cute???!! WHAT?! jk. Love you! Have a good night!
Hey Bec. Here's a shock: I disagree. Ha ha! Although well written, I disagree. I think he's really 'cunning' and such. It horrifies me that a parent can support live birth abortions. Not only that, but as Obama said "it's up to the mom to decide if her child should live" (fyi: I paraphrased, because I suck at quoting). This alone makes me want to vomit. (To me- it's a females decision to keep her legs crossed or not) Mccain sucks, but I think slightly less. And I'm so sick of hearing that Obama's black. FABULOUS! We got that! Who freaking cares! This race was reversed racism. Every time someone says they don't like him, they have to cover their behind and say "not because he's black". UGH! His daughters are beautiful, and his wife scares me. HA ha! And I love this country, I always have. I thank Heavenly Father every day that I get to live here. I think I'd love it more though if I had a Target close by. . .
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This is urelated to this post, but I just had to tel you Tai loves watching your videos of James, when I get on the computer we have to watch Kona and James! So keep it up, you have a captive watcher!
We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. While he is an excellent speaker and extremely charismatic, I don't particularly like Obama or his policies. He feels much too socialist for my comfort and I'm a little nervous about the direction he might take our country in. I am, however, willing to hope that he will chart a course much more toward the middle of things than his past history has been. That having been said, I was disheartened to hear that you haven't been very proud of our country. I have always been very proud to be an American and proud of who we are, even with our warts and bumps. If you don't mind me asking, what is it you've been disappointed with? And where does Derek stand on all this?
OH MY GOSH! I just saw that you won a design mom giveaway!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS! Tell me what you won! More importantly, tell me HOW you won! YAY YAY YAY FOR YOU! I'm seriously jealous!
Wahoo! I'm so glad to find someone who actually likes Obama. Truth be told, I voted for him! I think he is going to be as good as anyone. One way to look at it for those who are opposed of him...if he screws up really bad, there goes affirmative action!
Hey Becca,
my sister Donna lives in Perth Australia and she just posted something on her blog about a recent experience with their free healthcare system that I think you will find interesting. Her blog is private, but just use my log-in and I will change my password later
go here:
http://www.aladinfamily.blogspot.com/
username: mtparadigm
password: missy1234
let me know what you think.
Missy
Bart and I voted for Bob Barr!! We're hoping for 2012!!!
P.S. Here's why: We both came to our own conclusions that we didn't feel well represented by either of the main parties and so a vote for a third party is a vote for discontent for politics continuing as usual.
Hey Becca!! Thanks for stopping by our blog. Ya we are getting better but slowly and it seems like a lot of kids are sick lately... crazy. It is fun to look at your blog. You guys are such a cute family. Ya with the election... I am just so freakin' glad it is over! Golly! I even graduated in PolySci and I got so irritated and mostly bored with both of them. I did stick to McCain for the abortion thing. That's huge in my book. And the whole Obama and his wife not liking our flag and not putting his hand on his heart for the anthem.. What the heck was that!!!! Maybe good will come from him though.. we shall see huh? It shall be fun.
Becca, good for you. In Utah it's hard to find people who are open to anything non-Republican, so don't feel disheartened when your friends point to ONE or maybe TWO things that Obama or, more likely, his party stands for. No one likes the idea of killing an innocent baby, not even the "crazy liberals", but abortion is an issue best advocated on the ground--meaning that the law won't change the way people view the act of taking life away from a would-be baby. No law is going to influence people to stop aborting; it's a person's moral compass that makes that choice, whether it's legal or not. The fact remains that many people regret having abortions, and that fact alone will help win that particular battle in each and every person who chooses to abort.
More importantly, I'm happy you made a choice for yourself based on how you felt about our country, despite the fact that many of your friends obviously feel differently.
Sorry for the lateness of the post, but I really liked what you wrote and I wanted to respond anyway. :)
Very well said, Bec! I was actually pretty pleased that he was elected as well. It is kind of funny for me to hear people say that we are doomed to have him in office. However, we do live in Northern Utah and what else would I expect to hear. Lots of narrowminded views up here and anything out of the norm seems to worry folks.
Saw him and his wife on Barbara Walters recently and thought they were great!
Ang
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