One last time...I have to say it...
This is the most important election of our lifetime...for all of us. We all have a stake in this.
In the past eight years, we have seen an explicit and unimaginably hurtful division of this country brought about by an unnecessary and disastrous "narrowing" of the Republican party (to borrow a very appropriate word used by Colin Powell). The middle class has been ignored and discriminated against. Only the wealthiest, most powerful Americans have been favored. Our economy is in its worst state since the 1930s. Our foreign policy has alienated us from the rest of the world. The damage done over the past eight years cannot easily be reversed.
We need a leader who understands how to guide this country out of this horrific state...not one who wants to continue down the same disastrous path.
Barack Obama is the right person to lead this country. It is just that simple.
I could continue on, trying to write something with rhetorical flourish, filled with powerful talking points, but I can't. I will level with all our readers...I am a wreck. My stomach is in knots. That's how important this is--to me, to the country.
I have fear. There is evidence that Republicans stole elections in the past. What if they do it again? Or what if the polls are off?
...Or, worse--what if this country just isn't ready for true, powerful change?
Lots of things to worry about. Lots of things to fear. But that's not what this election cycle has been about...not for Barack Obama and not for loyal Obama supporters like me.
This campaign has been exhausting. But it has also been amazingly powerful. A message of transformational hope and change swept over citizens in every corner of this country. It has been an amazing moment...and I hope this moment lasts for the next four years, and beyond.
And you...all of you who connect and communicate over this vast blogosphere, all of you who have discussed, jousted, and outright duked it out with me or K over this past 11 months...all of you who shared in the joy and the pain of this election...all of you faceless enigmas who we've never actually "met," but with whom we've become inextricably linked through this beautiful, agonizing experience....I cherish you all. Vigilante, that old curmudgeon, undeniably knowledgeable and unwaveringly confident in his own views...Mad Mike, the Big Dog, a kinder, gentler curmudgeon (if that's possible) whose dedication over the past several months has been unparalleled...Stella, ever the optimist, a true uniter amid a sea of dividers...The Wizard, always one to analyze issues from every angle (many times to a fault), even though he recently jumped off the Deep End...I even have to acknowledge Lee, who lives in the Deep End...and of course, Utah Savage, who started it all...
...you all hold a special place in my Blogging Heart.
To K: Our first election together! Let's hope the stars aligned for this one, just as they aligned to bring us together. I love you...I am so glad I have your hand to hold as we approach the end of this experience (and as we hopefully enter a New Era together).
So...I argued politics endlessly over the past year. Got in plenty of fights, but hopefully made as many friends as I have enemies. I'll be a nervous wreck for at least the next 24 hours, so in case I'm M.I.A. until the result is finally announced...much love to you all.
And one last time...
OBAMA '08!
3 comments:
You get yours? Trophy Wife and I got ours! (Free Starboucks!)
What a nice post. Thank you for the compliments (and fair minded criticism).
I hope and pray you are 100% correct about Barack Obama as he will be our next President. Let's hope he can and will unite our country and govern with integrity and fairness.
And, of course, we all await a return to normalicy. I can hardly wait to a review of High School Musical 3. I can genuinely say the three hours I spent on opening night with my 8 year old grand daughter were the finest three hours of the entire election season. Thank God I occasionally remember to get my priorities in order.
I'm a little late on this one, but cannot thank you enough for your kind words and wonderful post. As Tolkien wrote, "There is no greater praise than praise from the praiseworthy."
And just a note—you did brilliantly with your rhetorical flourishes J: what a tribute to our country and our little network of bloggers. You and K are special to me, also.
Our economy is in its worst state since the 1930s. I'd like to share with you a comment my politically astute and extremely liberal father said. "The only one who truly benefited from Bushit's presidency is Herbert Hoover, who is no longer the worst president in history."
As I've often written, I don't envy Obama and Biden their jobs. There is so much deceit and corruption under the surface of this terrible administration.
My best to you both, as always.
Post a Comment