The assignment was to write a column about 250 words (but you could go over). I clearly did...
After the election, with most of the votes counted we see our next few years planned out. Now for the first time in our nation’s history we have elected an African American as President Elect. Yesterday, November 4th at 11 pm the United States of America elected Senator Barack Hussein Obama as our 44th president; this is an amazing moment in our history—one that we will look to for years to come.
We need more views represented. We need people from all over left, right, center who don’t have to conform to either being a Conservative or Liberal; Republican or Democrat; or being called names from their opposition. America needs to have the voice of every single citizen heard. We need more people represented; something which can not happen when they choose either a Republican or Democrat on a ballot.
President Elect Obama has brought hope to millions of Americans. He has filled them with enough hope to bring them out to the polls yesterday. He has created such a grassroots founded campaign that people all around the world are praising his name in glory.
No one is ever supported by everyone. There are a handful of McCain supporters who still boo the name of our future President. There are those Americans who threatened to leave the country should either Senator not win the seat. Anti support and threats don’t help anyone out, and they certainly don’t help improving our nation.
How much does the sitting President really matter? He can only do as much as he has the support to enact. He needs the House and the Senate behind him. In most cases we never have to worry about whether or not a President can be dangerous. Sure there are levels and miscalculated past acts enacted by Presidents. There are good things proposed and enacted too. What is important in this election is that our President will most likely have the full support of the legislative branch of our government. This will ensure that he will have the backing he needs to enact his plans. While I am one who leans towards Obama in many areas I am a little cautious to support a Democrat majority everywhere. I believe that we need to mold more as a country; something which Obama has stated many times and I hope he will continue to work at. We need to rally our support behind what we believe in and disregard negativity. Pessimism fails in every aspect of life except at shortening your life expectancy and hurting you both short and long term. The old saying, “If you have nothing nice to say don’t’ say it at all,” is a very wise statement. If you can’t think of something constructive to add to the discussion then you have permission to keep your mouth shut.
Optimism is welcome and so is constructive advice. This is just the beginning of a new era. One started by what may very well be the best political campaign in history. An era where everything we have known in the past has changed, where an African American who could once be owned as a slave is the leader of the free world.
We have a wonderful opportunity here and Americans must remember how truly special our nation is. When you say you’re sad to be an American think long and hard about where that comes from. Do you really not support what America Stands for or is it just the current face of the nation is somewhat misleading or unappealing? That is an important distinction to make. No matter what happens in an election, the fact that we have elections should be respected. The fact that anyone can express their ideas freely should be respected. The fact that no one can tell you what you can or can not succeed at in America is amazing. Before you make a comment about being sad calling yourself American take into consideration what this nation stands for and maybe then you can change your mind.
We are presented with an interesting challenge of the next four (maybe even eight years).—a new President, one who seeks to defy past standards. A President Elect who wishes to bring change to the American people. Whether or not he can really deliver is up to him to prove? However someone who has commanded so much respect from citizens of the World and who can take the election in a land slide deserves respect. McCain’s concession speech was his most impressive yet. The way he spoke so eloquently about his opponent and called Americans to rally behind Mr. Obama to help him grow into his rather daunting job was impressive. My fellow Americans his speech made me proud that I live here. Support can come from all places, sometimes you just might have to search a little deeper for it. We need to look at the speech given by McCain offering his help and at the speech given by Obama asking for help. This is America—a give and take which benefits more than just those involved. If there were more Americans who had a love for this country as deep as these two Senators we would more highly regarded by others. We need to be open for advice to come from all around us. We need to be sure that no one is too small or too large or a person to help us. We need to think about others more than ourselves with regularity.
This is a great time in American history where with the image of Obama and his idea of change we can affect the world. Americans need to examine the two campaigns of this year’s election and notice the good and the bad. Americans need to apply the good they’ve seen to more people and if done we can improve this great nation. This nation can become one based on helping other and on promoting freedom and peace throughout the world.
