History was made last night. It was a moment that, for better or worse, no one in this country (perhaps the world) will ever forget. It’s one of those very few “where were you….?” moments. Anyone trying to downplay the importance of what happened last night simply doesn’t “get it”.
I cried during Obama’s acceptance speech. Several times. I’ve never felt more patriotic. Never felt more in tune with this country I call home. This, coming from someone who ripped on the American Way practically nonstop for the past 8 years. I’m feeling patriotic. I’m feeling at one with my fellow Americans.
I don’t want to hear about “red states” and “blue states”. It’s all bullshit. It’s all a way to divide us. As we stand now, at last count, 80% of the country doesn’t approve of George Bush. Eighty motherfuckingass percent. 240 of our 300 million strong. Regardless of which candidate you supported – chances are that you were voting for change, whether it be McCain-flavored or Obama-seasoned. You didn’t want the likes of Dubya. You said “ENOUGH!” to the last 8 years. That’s something we can come together for. That’s something worth celebrating. As is the fact that over SIXTY-FOUR PERCENT of registered voters in the U.S. came out to vote. Second only to the record turnout of 65% in 1908.
I’m not rubbing it in the faces of McCain supporters, and I hope the same can be said of you. Out of 3 phonecalls I made or received within minutes of hearing the news last night, which includes 2 Republicans and 1 Democrat, only one of them voted McCain. That 1 was my father, a staunch Republican and part of the 20% who still approve of Bush, who said “I think Obama will be good for America. I think he’ll bring us together”. He voted McCain, regardless, but he believes Obama might bring an end to the divide we’ve had in this country.
That’s what I’m hoping for, too. An end to the divide. We’re all suffering from economic collapse. We’re all being taxed for an unnecessary war in Iraq. We’re all being taken to the cleaners for a lack of a unified (or even properly legislated) healthcare system. We, as a people, need to stop looking through the lens of 24-hour-news and their fear-mongering. We need to look forward, and come together.
Is that too much to ask?
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