I can honestly say that I am happy today.
I am happy that, in my lifetime, we have overlooked race as a criteria for president. I am proud to have been part of this election.
I am happy to see that social media seems to have made a difference in this election – instead of in the past when I have never really felt like voting actually mattered.
I am happy that with a largely democratic congress and senate (although not filibuster proof), our democratic president can not blame them for his failings – should he fail. I like accountability.
I am happy that W. will be out of office in 3 months and can not do any further harm to our economy, constitution and reputation as Americans.
I am happy that the reign of aging, white, wealthy elitists in the white house seems to be behind us. Politics has always been the realm of the wealthy and the elite in this country. All the way back to our banker and landowner forefathers protecting their assets from the Crown in the New World. It’s about time that someone representative of the actual majority class was in a position to call the shots. (or as close as anyone that can afford to run for president can be)
However,
I am sad that people can be so uneducated as to think that *either* presidential candidate could leave taxes static or even lower them when faced with the economic meltdown we are in the middle of. Those people that are mad about the President Elect decision and want everyone else to bear the burden of the financial crisis – except them. We all hate taxes, but they are a necessary evil. Why shouldn’t the more fortunate bear a comparable burden to the less fortunate? Why should loopholes enable the affluent to dodge their tax responsibility while the average family is crushed under its weight? Why should business owners, small or large, be able to succeed by taking advantage of their employees (and not providing health care or fair wages)?
People need to open their eyes and realize this is not the 18th century anymore. Socially, culturally, globally – the country and it’s people have changed. We need to recognize that progress and adapt.
I am worried that if Obama does not come through on at least some of his promises that this country will lose faith in it’s leaders entirely. Expectations are high and reality comes knocking on 1/20. Rationally, he will not be able to fulfill all promises in 4 years – but if progress is not visible; if we can not all answer yes to the question of “are we better off then 4 years ago” at the next election – then I fear that the future is bleak for our way of life. We will truly be a failed 300 year experiment at that point…