Well, after agonizing over the whole process for, oh . . . about 3 years . . . it's over. I think about 48% of the country now has PESD - Post Election Stress Disorder - especially my mom . . . My heart really does go out to you and I know you're taking this hard. I really hope everyone takes the time to watch both McCain's and Obama's speeches tonight.I just wanted to share a few of my thoughts. First of all this was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. Up until a few days ago I just didn't know who I would vote for - and then someone sent me the video of Obama speaking at a planned parenthood event where he pledged his first act as president would be to pass the Freedom of Choice Act (which repeals all deterrents to abortions in place - parental notification, late-term abortion bans, etc.). And while I despise one-issue voters, I kinda became one as I marked the McCain box today.
While I was watching Obama tonight and something came to mind:
Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come - Victor HugoThere are a lot of things that contributed to Obama being elected: the economic meltdown, how the GOP alienated a lot of Hispanics with the immigration debate, the incompetence of Republican leadership (in Congress especially) over the last 12 years, his eloquence, his african-americanness, etc. I could go on and on. I really am proud of our country that we elected a man with his name and his background and we overcame all the whisper campaigns and silly FWDs out there. I don't know how you couldn't be touched by the moment when watching his speech.
One thing I told my mother is that I don't think liberals are dirty people out to ruin our country (although they might actually ruin it) I think they literally just have different ideas about what is best and what patriotism is. In our country different ideas are accepted and encouraged. Winning an election doesn't make their ideas right and ours wrong; and it doesn't make our definition right and theirs wrong. They tallied up enough votes to get the chance to try their hand and have a go. We had the chance and I really think we squandered it.
On a final note, my hope is that the right-wing religious nutjobs that wouldn't vote for Mitt because he hadn't been "saved" or who called me a babykiller because I went through IVF or the ones who don't think there should be ANY exceptions for an abortion . . . I really wish those people would plant themselves firmly in the Republican party . . . that the rest of us will register as Independents - and the Republican party as we know it will shrivel and die. If it doesn't go away it better do some mighty big a-changin'. And if Palin runs in '12 I will vote for Obama, I'm sorry as much as I like her . . . she represents the crazy-right wing I really despise. We can take a stand on moral issues while still seeking compromise. I really hope we can all move forward with this hope and this goal in mind.
p.s. for future reference this is my favorite way to look at the results, kinda shows it proportionally according to electoral vote:
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I love how you wrote this post...it's almost exactly what i've been feeling but didn't know how to put it into words! I agree with you! Hopefully something good will come from these next few years...
ReplyDeleteI love your map and your comments. I found it very hard to vote this year but I did it of course because it is my right.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristine, for posting this. I heard this about now President Obama too and it turned me into a one-issue voter too. I really hope this will be okay..
ReplyDeleteWow, Obama huh? I am a little surprised. I know you voted for McCain, but I am surprised you had to think about it?? I think there is more than one issue I disagree with. But, we will watch the country get worse with Obama I guess. There isn't anything we can do about it now.
ReplyDeleteMy camera is the NIkon D60, is a SLR. It has taken me a while to get use to it, but I really like it.
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