Late night thoughts from Nov 4, 2008

I should be going to sleep at this late hour but I felt like I should record my thoughts on this historic night. This post will be more stream of consciousness- and probably not funny.

This evening, November 4th, 2008 Barack Obama won the election for president of the united states. I took the day out of work due to a late meeting and the fact I could hardly focus on anything else for the past few months. This was the world series, Superbowl, Olympics, and Christmas all tied into one for me.

Being from new England- land of athletic heartbreak- and a natural Irish pessimist I did not want to get ahead of myself all day. I did not want to think of victory for my candidate. I wondered why I was so excited.

This is my third election I have voted in- and the first time my candidate has won. It's brings with it an indescribable sense of pride. And for me- one of the first times in my adult life I can recall being truly proud to be an American. I know, I'll get eye rolls and criticism for that comment- but its true for me. I was raised in a city with more underprivilege than thankfully I ever had to see. I am and always have been a liberal democrat- and never even knew till I got to college that "Liberal" had become a derogatory word. I've always believed in people first- basic rights and protection of the rights and civil liberties we are all entitled to- and that a free ride and a fair chance are not the same thing.

I oppose so much of what the other half of our two party system here holds dear. I do not think they are without positives- but for me, simply not enough for them to be in power. I see so little good and benefit in what they have done historically. Perhaps this is why I have never felt as committed or attached to the country as I do now.

So why is Obama my president? Well he has some good ideas- he has some not so good ideas. I don't think my taxes will suddenly drop in January and I'll suddenly be able to buy that new bag guilt free. I'm not sure if my taxes will drop at all given the financial state we are in. But I believe in this person we elected tonight. When he speaks I want to get up and go do something- whatever I can to make my country great. The house, senate, bills, laws, plans, policies- these are all things both parties can contribute to. But with a president who can move and motivate a country- it makes us a stronger nation. A true superpower. America.

My father and Grandfather were war vets. My grandparents on the other side immigrated here from Italy. My mother has been teaching American Political Science for 30plus years. I was raised to be a proud American. But since I have been able to vote it has not just been that my side has lost- but that the side that won seemed to bring down the USA. There was not hope and optimism- there was fear, controversy, and deception. That is not a country I can be proud of- with all benefits I know it has- in my adult life it has been sold short of potential and short of pride.

Tonight for the first time I see an America that I want to live in. A country other nations of the world can look up to once again. And A place where I am sure my niece and other children will prosper- no matter what they want to be. I looked at her tonight as she fell asleep in a chair while watching the electoral map (sure to zonk out any three year old). I'm excited to one day be able to tell her how it used to be for me- and how it changed for me. How America did not let me down and how I didn't feel so alone in my desire to see things better. To not be okay with the status quo and not be labeled as "Un-American" for saying it out loud. To work for a cause or fight for a country and build something worth saving and worth protecting.

A long road is ahead but I feel confident about who we put in place tonight. I feel for the first time that is MY president. It is great to feel part of a country once again. I hope it lasts.