The Times: They Are A-Changin' (written 11/5/08)

Everywhere you go today, the topic of conversation is the new President-Elect. My ten year old sent me a text at 7:58 this morning, before he left for school: "Did you get the news?", and my eighth graders were bubbling over with excitement as they filed into class about two minutes later. They were all giggly about the election, this Presidential race being the first one that will truly be embedded in their memories, and what a memory to have! The race of the first African American Presidential nominee versus the first female Vice Presidential nominee.

However, race and gender aside, I'm hoping what most people will come to realize is that race alone is NOT what decided this election. I am well aware that the mentally-stunted news media in this country didn't think to go to predominantly white neighborhoods and ask who THEY were voting for. Rather, they went for the sensationalized story, the one they'll eventually make biopic about, and went right to predominantly BLACK neighborhoods, or only aired the interviews with black people, and that shifted the focus of what Obama stands for to the color of his skin.

This election should NEVER have been about the color of his skin. It never should have been about Sarah Palin's $150,000 wardrobe, or Cindy McCain's pain killer addiction or anything else but who is best for the COUNTRY. And the country has spoken.

Yes, I'm sure that there are many people out there who voted based on race (black and white alike) and frankly, I disagree. Personally, I voted for Obama because I truly believe that he is the best choice for the presidency of the United States. He believes in what I believe in, for the most part, and, truth be told, McCain DIDN'T.

McCain was anti-choice, anti-sex-ed, anti-gay-rights, intent on keeping our presence in Iraq and a major part of the Power Elite. So was Sarah Palin, and she was a Creationist to boot. I literally got nauseous at the thought of the two of them in office, not to mention McCain's AGE. As the oldest President in HISTORY, we would have (more likely than not) ended up with a President Palin, at least for a time. No way.

However, thank the gods that reality will not come to be. And if anyone wants proof that this country has spoken and spoken LOUDLY, take a good look at the polls themselves. A lot of former "red" states are now "blue" states, and its not because of a sudden increase in black population! Take an in-depth look at the results for Senate elections, both Federal and Local. Democrats have won by a LARGE margin. The citizens of these United States are TIRED of the Republican regime. In New York alone, for the first time in FORTY years, Democrats control the State.

This was a decision of the people, by the people and for the people - the way it should be. If McCain had gotten in, sure, I'd be upset, but one, I'd still support him as my Commander-in-Chief, and two, I would WAIT to see what he was capable of before I even THOUGHT about starting on the whole we're-going-to-Hell-in-a-handbasket nonsense. Be a true American, support your President Elect, and consider yourself lucky to be living at one of the most amazing eras of our history.