Decision '08!!!!!

Finally, I am filled with hope for the future. We have been surrounded by so much negativity and cynicism lately... but things are about to change! With the election of Barack Obama, I have a renewed excitement for this nation and it's future. I am not a very patriotic person, but I am feeling excited about what good things are to come.

To all the doubters, good things only happen when you believe they will. We need to put some faith in Obama and give him and his policies a chance. I've heard people say that they can't wait for him to fail so they can say "I told you so". This is not the pettiness we need. How do we expect our leaders to work together, if we can't even give them our confidence?

I am a little put-off by how much emphasis is being put on race in this election. It is a monumental day in civil rights, but race shouldn't be the center point. The results show that race does NOT matter. I didn't vote for Obama because he is half African-American. I voted for him because he was the best candidate for me. I voted for Change of ideas in the white house... Not change of skin color.

There are so many issues that have been on the back-burner in the past 7 years (since 9/11). I am hopeful we can reset our priorities to focus on OUR country. Education, Healthcare, Unemployment, Social Security...

I have had many unpleasant conversations with doubters and upset McCain supporters. This is disheartening, because I think we are all fighting for the same thing in the end... there's just arguments on the best way to get there. Some people are so worried about who (Democrats or Republicans) will get credit when the things get better. This is absurd--- I just want things to get better!

"A liberal is a man or a woman or a child who looks forward to a better day, a more tranquil night, and a bright, infinite future." ~Leonard Bernstein