GO OUT THERE AND MAKE ME PROUD, 'MERICA!
(Otherwise, I'm not sure if I have much use for you anymore.)
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Make Daddy Proud, USA!
Today is Election Day! FINALLY! It is a sort of dual emotion I am feeling right now. One of complete excitement and anticipation, and another of melancholy. I'm not sure what I can talk about now that this behemoth election that has consumed my thought in the last 4 months or so is finally coming to a close. It came at not a moment too soon, though. I was starting to think I was losing it. I have gained hectares of peace of mind simply by knowing this monstrosity is over. So all I have to say in this uncharacteristically short-winded post is:
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What is with Missouri taking so long to tally votes? Maybe you should’ve stayed away from the campaign office. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAmerican did us all proud today – so much for our “no landslide” predictions. It was an incredibly stunning and emotional night here in London as the election unfurled into the wee hours of the morning, and I can only imagine the intensity of the spark that was reignited on home soil.
I am sad – maybe even a little selfishly regretful – that that experience, the unifying electricity streaming through communities, towns and cities, is something that I will never get to directly share with everyone back home. Dare I say that down the line when I feel as if something is missing, that’ll be it?
I think this victory represents a new American revolution. The outcome of this election will forever resonate in our history and the possibilities it represents will, I think, be absorbed by the consciousness of American society, inspiring and motivating our generation – giving it a swift kick in the ass – to go achieve everything we’ve been told all our lives that we are capable of, for ourselves and for the world. Maybe that’s a little too optimistic and idealistic, but if there’s anything that this election has taught me, it’s that I need to stop self-checking and criticinzing the inklings of optimism that seep into my mind and run with them(you and I both know that optimism is not something that I possess in abundance).
It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t offer up at least a little concern: I am worried for the elevated expectations Americans and the world hold for this new administration. I only hope that when the celebrations wind down, people realize that the changes we seek take time – at least one term’s worth of work needs to be done. It is, however unfortunate, foundational in the structure of our government that systematic changes cannot happen at the pace we would like, or that we now need.
BUT, patience and fortitude have changed the trajectory of our history – a history we are coming of age in and are now responsible for. We’ve been given a sample of what can happen through unity and perseverance, and I think the American palette will quickly develop a craving for more.
There’s so much, much more to say, but I don’t want to monopolize anyone’s time. Just let me end by saying that (you know) I lost faith years ago, and since then its has been hesitantly simmering.—until now as it’s on its way to a boil as Obama can lead this nation forward into the 21st century where it belongs.
It's sort of like after some big party or event, when you've been planning for so long that once the big day passes, you look around & wonder, "Now what?" Fortunately, this time, the "now what" is huge -- now we act, now we keep the momentum up, now we advocate for issues we believe in, now we get legislation passed, now we get involved & be heard & actively help America rebuild. The "now what" is even bigger than the "What next?" was on Nov. 3rd. Today, the "now what" begins, & it's huge. This is history.
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