Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Boy Who Lived


If you have ever read book one, chapter one of Harry Potter- the feeling was quite reminiscent today. People huddled up around coffee makers and water coolers, Dunkin Donuts lines, cashiers, cafeterias- all weary eyed and yet talking excitedly. Voldermort (or in this case Bush and his republican regime) is at an end. Better times are coming.


And so we hope- as is the new motto of this neo-democratic party- that things will improve. I noticed today that the rest of the world seems as excited about the choice we made as I am. Foreign presidents and dignitaries raved. Barack Obama made the front page of almost every paper all over the GLOBE today. Finally a ray of light in America. America wants change.

If anyone traveled outside the US in the past 8 years (or read a paper) you understand the negative view the rest of the world had on us. We did not lead by example or embrace what a superpower should. Today I heard the heads of state from almost every European nation endorse the president elect. In Kenya- they danced in the streets.

More impressive was the speech last night given to hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Chicago. We passed power over peacefully, with dignity, and got a record number of people not only interested and educated about our election- but to the polls.

This is two orders of business complete and the man is not even sworn in yet. Just in name he has mended a lot of the foreign hurt done by the Bush administration. Other countries are excited about us, looking up to us as a progressive nation again. And he brought millions of people out to the polls- several first time voters- making all of those people invested in their country. And an invested citizen is a better citizen. We are already a stronger nation because of yesterday and the Obama campaigns ability to organize and inspire.

Race did not help him- but more surprisingly it did not hurt him. He is not just a black man- he is a man with good ideas regardless of his race. And unfortunately those who believe he was elected because he is African-American, or think he is still a dangerous secret Muslim terrorist- will never think otherwise- as clearly these people at this point are not open-minded enough to see the good that has been done for us as a Nation in 24 hours, regardless of his politics.

So come January starts his real work. Time will tell how he does. But in the first 24hrs- I still have to say- to me he is the boy who lived.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

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.