Our new president-elect.
This was the first presidential election in which I was able to vote.
I cast my vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I did it through absentee ballot, because I figured my vote would have a better chance of meaning something in Minnesota than North Dakota (in which you can vote after living here 30 days. CRAZY.).
I used my friend's laptop to look through everyone I was voting for. To be honest, I didn't really learn much, since these are people from a little area in Minnesota, running for things like school board and judges. But hey, I voted for them. I sealed up my ballot and sent it in.
I had to work at Target the night of the election. I was so nervous. I understand that a lot of people really liked John McCain. And Sarah Palin, which I really don't understand. Why vote for someone on looks alone? ...I'm not going to talk about her, though; she's such a mixed bag for me. Maybe at the end.
I was moving boxes on the line (woo softlines) and the guy next to me asked if I could take over his position for a minute. Sure. Then the woman across from me (oh, Janice, you are awesome) said he was probably going to call people, because Obama had just won.
I checked my text messages. James had texted me this: "mccain just conceded now" and then "He won".
He won.
Barack Hussein Obama II just became the next president-elect of my country.
And I voted for him.
I voted for him because I think he was the best candidate for the job. I liked what he had to say about education and creating new programs to help people afford schooling. I liked his emphasis on alternative energy. His vice-presidential candidate wrote the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and as far as I know, is pushing for the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). I like that he knows shit about the world and other cultures. I like that there is an emphasis on women's rights - it's my body and I will choose what happens to it and how it is treated. I like the way little things still matter - that he and his wife are friends with each other, that he seems to be a good father, that when choosing a dog for his daughters, he and his wife are trying to get a rescue dog. I like that Obama seems to be able to inspire people. I saw people that did not give two shits about politics before the election come out for Obama's candidacy. I genuinely wanted him to win.
2004 was a huge letdown. To see so many bans against gay marriage go through and to see Bush elected again, I was exhausted and sad. I didn't like talking American politics with anyone, because what was there to say? No one really seemed to like him. It was shit and we have a reputation for
I was so excited. For serious. I don't think he'll make everything wonderful and perfect, but I think that he might be able to create an atmosphere in which we can begin to get on the right track. Yeah, that's vague. I don't care. It gives me hope. The economic crisis will probably not be solved for ten to fifteen years. I don't expect Obama to solve it entirely. But by setting a flexible course, I should hope that we can get back on track.
I don't consider myself unrealistic (but who does?). Things will not be perfect or easy. But I feel like there's a good chance that we can get through it, and I am choosing to believe in it.
I am not ashamed of the leadership of my country.
I did not think I would see the election of a mixed-race or black American to the presidency. I was so moved by the people who spoke - to see blacks get their rights, to have marched on Washington, to know that your ancestors were enslaved and abused, to see lynchings and the bodies left in trees to rot, and to know that racism still exists and it's still affecting you. And then he's elected. I can't even imagine what that feels like. The 106-year old woman, who saw so much of the civil rights movement, and how this must feel. I can't imagine. I know I am proud.
This is a powerful moment in our history. We are one of the first Western powers to elect a minority to lead.
I do believe that we are coming to a crossroads. We have so many social issues that are coming to a head and unresolved issues possibly coming to a close. The power structure in the world may be shifting if we become reliant on alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar power. The changing of leadership in various countries in Africa (Zimbabwe, I bet you can climb on up again, even after this crapshoot) is going to affect world politics. Hopefully, we can narrow the wage gap and have fewer than 1/2 of the world's population living in poverty.
I do think we have to choose between our wants and our futures. I do not believe in saving the planet "for our children". I believe in preserving, using and maintaining resources sustainably because I have respect for life on the planet. I do not see this earth as a gift. I feel that we, as residents, have a responsibility to clean up after ourselves and be responsible.
I do not like to see other human beings suffer. I do not like to see animal lives suffer. Hell, I don't like to see plants suffer. There. There is my dirty secret. I am a bleeding-heart hippie. I hope to channel it into something that will make a difference for someone. I can't stand people who say that they "can't stand to watch something suffer" and then don't bother to help other people who need it. Genocide is happening right now. Human trafficking. Rape. I'm not saying it's our responsibility to save the world, but don't preach to me about your high-and-mighty pain tolerance and do nothing. Don't bitch to me about the exploitation of Wal-Mart and then do all your shopping there. Seriously.
I suppose I can hop on off my soapbox now. I'm not advocating for anyone to go vegan, be an activist, or anything else. Your life is your business and you live the way you feel best. But at the very least, try to be considerate of other living beings and the environment we live in.
I'm happy to have seen this election, to have been a part of it. I'm happy to have a role in helping to erase the remnants of racism. While I don't understand it fully, I see it affect people. This matters. What he will do as President matters, because of the color of his skin. Hopefully, it will lay to rest the notion that skin color is the part that matters most and what determines who you are. His and Biden's actions will not only reflect on Americans in the world community, but it will help us shape our future.
I cast my vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I did it through absentee ballot, because I figured my vote would have a better chance of meaning something in Minnesota than North Dakota (in which you can vote after living here 30 days. CRAZY.).
I used my friend's laptop to look through everyone I was voting for. To be honest, I didn't really learn much, since these are people from a little area in Minnesota, running for things like school board and judges. But hey, I voted for them. I sealed up my ballot and sent it in.
I had to work at Target the night of the election. I was so nervous. I understand that a lot of people really liked John McCain. And Sarah Palin, which I really don't understand. Why vote for someone on looks alone? ...I'm not going to talk about her, though; she's such a mixed bag for me. Maybe at the end.
I was moving boxes on the line (woo softlines) and the guy next to me asked if I could take over his position for a minute. Sure. Then the woman across from me (oh, Janice, you are awesome) said he was probably going to call people, because Obama had just won.
I checked my text messages. James had texted me this: "mccain just conceded now" and then "He won".
He won.
Barack Hussein Obama II just became the next president-elect of my country.
And I voted for him.
I voted for him because I think he was the best candidate for the job. I liked what he had to say about education and creating new programs to help people afford schooling. I liked his emphasis on alternative energy. His vice-presidential candidate wrote the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and as far as I know, is pushing for the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). I like that he knows shit about the world and other cultures. I like that there is an emphasis on women's rights - it's my body and I will choose what happens to it and how it is treated. I like the way little things still matter - that he and his wife are friends with each other, that he seems to be a good father, that when choosing a dog for his daughters, he and his wife are trying to get a rescue dog. I like that Obama seems to be able to inspire people. I saw people that did not give two shits about politics before the election come out for Obama's candidacy. I genuinely wanted him to win.
2004 was a huge letdown. To see so many bans against gay marriage go through and to see Bush elected again, I was exhausted and sad. I didn't like talking American politics with anyone, because what was there to say? No one really seemed to like him. It was shit and we have a reputation for
I was so excited. For serious. I don't think he'll make everything wonderful and perfect, but I think that he might be able to create an atmosphere in which we can begin to get on the right track. Yeah, that's vague. I don't care. It gives me hope. The economic crisis will probably not be solved for ten to fifteen years. I don't expect Obama to solve it entirely. But by setting a flexible course, I should hope that we can get back on track.
I don't consider myself unrealistic (but who does?). Things will not be perfect or easy. But I feel like there's a good chance that we can get through it, and I am choosing to believe in it.
I am not ashamed of the leadership of my country.
I did not think I would see the election of a mixed-race or black American to the presidency. I was so moved by the people who spoke - to see blacks get their rights, to have marched on Washington, to know that your ancestors were enslaved and abused, to see lynchings and the bodies left in trees to rot, and to know that racism still exists and it's still affecting you. And then he's elected. I can't even imagine what that feels like. The 106-year old woman, who saw so much of the civil rights movement, and how this must feel. I can't imagine. I know I am proud.
This is a powerful moment in our history. We are one of the first Western powers to elect a minority to lead.
I do believe that we are coming to a crossroads. We have so many social issues that are coming to a head and unresolved issues possibly coming to a close. The power structure in the world may be shifting if we become reliant on alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar power. The changing of leadership in various countries in Africa (Zimbabwe, I bet you can climb on up again, even after this crapshoot) is going to affect world politics. Hopefully, we can narrow the wage gap and have fewer than 1/2 of the world's population living in poverty.
I do think we have to choose between our wants and our futures. I do not believe in saving the planet "for our children". I believe in preserving, using and maintaining resources sustainably because I have respect for life on the planet. I do not see this earth as a gift. I feel that we, as residents, have a responsibility to clean up after ourselves and be responsible.
I do not like to see other human beings suffer. I do not like to see animal lives suffer. Hell, I don't like to see plants suffer. There. There is my dirty secret. I am a bleeding-heart hippie. I hope to channel it into something that will make a difference for someone. I can't stand people who say that they "can't stand to watch something suffer" and then don't bother to help other people who need it. Genocide is happening right now. Human trafficking. Rape. I'm not saying it's our responsibility to save the world, but don't preach to me about your high-and-mighty pain tolerance and do nothing. Don't bitch to me about the exploitation of Wal-Mart and then do all your shopping there. Seriously.
I suppose I can hop on off my soapbox now. I'm not advocating for anyone to go vegan, be an activist, or anything else. Your life is your business and you live the way you feel best. But at the very least, try to be considerate of other living beings and the environment we live in.
I'm happy to have seen this election, to have been a part of it. I'm happy to have a role in helping to erase the remnants of racism. While I don't understand it fully, I see it affect people. This matters. What he will do as President matters, because of the color of his skin. Hopefully, it will lay to rest the notion that skin color is the part that matters most and what determines who you are. His and Biden's actions will not only reflect on Americans in the world community, but it will help us shape our future.