Obama Elected President Proving Democracy Still Exists
In the past, I voted because it was something you're supposed to do because it's my given right as an American. Yesterday, I voted because I WANTED TO VOTE. I have never been so interested in the outcome of a presidential election in my life. Maybe it's because I am getting older I am paying more attention to government but I think there was more to it than just that. This was bigger than "How much I'm going to be taxed?" or big government vs. deregulation or Democrats vs. Republicans. This was about wanting CHANGE. Real change that can be felt by everyone in our country regardless of their affiliation. There was a reason why we saw some of the biggest turnouts ever for young people, African Americans and the nation as whole. It's because there was someone that finally represented us.
I was pumping my fist and nodding my head to Obama's speech last night like I was for the Celtics during the NBA Finals. It just felt like we were all a part of something bigger than just electing a president or seeing the first black president. That didn't even matter for most people, which is a sign of how much this country has grown up and how most just want a real leader regardless of their color of skin. We are fed up with the pettiness that our government has displayed over the past 8 years and more. It's time we move on and come together as a nation for the first time in a very long time.
Obama even said that this issn't about him. It belongs to us. This is about us growing stronger as a country. We played a part in getting him elected president and now we are going to have to play a part in everything else that comes along with it. We can't look for one person to do all the work. It has to be a team effort which includes Republicans and Democrats, Blacks and Whites and everyone in between. I'm willing to step up and accept that challenge. I hope you are as well.
Here are some of the best and most important parts of Obama's speech last night. I think it resonates even more once you see the words in text:
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.
I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.
As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America."
