Post-Election Blues (And Reds)
Image by woodleywonderworks
Whew! November 4th 2008 is now history. All the election rhetoric, prognostications, and promises are behind us, leaving hope and change plus some finger pointing and blame, depending on your perspective. As my previous posts show, I’m part of the hope and change crowd, but am also keenly interested in how my old party will pull itself together after straying from its principals over the past several years. Will it be able to right itself and return to its basic economic tenets, support its social conservative base, and yet appeal to those in the middle? Only time will tell.
I’ve taken grief from some of my friends and family about the whole hope and change campaign line. My initial support of Obama sprang from his positions on Iraq, foreign policy, taxes, social security, health insurance, and education. Once convinced on these issues, I let myself listen to the rhetoric. Is it really so terribly naïve to believe that it’s possible for each of us to positively impact the way our country is governed? I think not. This election has shown the power of individuals to find their voices. We must each continue to press our elected officials to find responsible solutions to the scores of problems our country faces. With renewed hope in our power as citizens, the change will be ours.
Tyler said:
Well said!
mike said:
as exciting of a time this is, the passing of prop 8 in california, and similar measures in other states, shows how far we still have to go when it comes to civil rights. i couldn’t be happier about obama’s election, but we’ve got more work to do to get full equality for all citizens of this country.