I can’t stop misting up today. I rewatched Obama’s acceptance speech online and it made me start crying all over again. I am so, so happy. I love that this is the first presidential election since Cate was born, and that as she grows up, she will never know a world in which an African-American can’t be President.
Since I was talking about contrasts yesterday, I noticed another one: I think it’s interesting that when I look at the status updates of my Facebook friends, they’re pretty evenly split. Most of my current friends, people who I’ve met and become friends with as an adult, were elated about Obama’s win. But I’ve also reconnected with a lot of people from elementary and high school on Facebook, people who for the most part still live in Mississippi, and who are generally extremely conservative. From them, I see them say that they’re disappointed, afraid, worried, “praying for our government,” “just sick about it,” etc. It’s strange to see the reactions in such stark opposites.
So just in case any of them read this blog, or to anyone else who’s worried for our future, let me just say: RELAX. I think regardless of who won, the next four years are going to be pretty rough. We have two wars going on, an economic crisis, an environment that’s steadily getting shot to crap, and a whole host of other problems. So it’d be a tough road no matter who the president happens to be. But I truly believe that you doubters will find that Obama will have a broad administration that incorporates the interests of both parties, unlike the Bush administration that has consistently catered to the Republican base, while essentially ignoring everyone else.
Now, I realize that the Republican base is going to be upset because they aren’t going to be pandered to anymore. And yeah, that sucks for them. But politics is a cycle. The pendulum swings one way, and it has to swing back the other way. That’s democracy, that’s fairness, and it’s one of many things that makes this country great.
So really, people who are freaking out about Obama taking away your guns or mandating gay marriage or whatever? Seriously, chill. It’s not going to happen. He’s going to have way bigger fish to fry once he gets in office. The people who are freaking out about socialism and taxes? Look, your taxes will only increase if you make more than $250K a year. And if you do make that much money, consider yourself blessed and quit bitching about having to go back to Clinton-era tax rates (which is all that’s going to happen; Obama wants to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the super-wealthy, not raise them to historic new levels).
Personally, my family makes a pretty good living, but like 95% of Americans, we’re under that $250K line, so we’ll actually get THREE TIMES the tax break that we would’ve gotten under McCain’s proposed tax plan. You won’t hear any complaints about that from me.
And if any conservatives are reading this and are still upset? Well, now you know exactly how I felt in 2004.
Cate loves both blue and red. Left and right. Democrats and Republicans. And most especially, she loves the Nabisco Corporation for their Saltines. Mmm.
My only fear is that Rachel Maddow will run out of stuff to talk about.
We love lefties and righties, too. If everyone thought just like I do, it would be a seriously boring country. Hey, some of my best friends are conservative!
Hee! I’m still happy. Personally, I’m a purple voter. I voted for some Repubs and some Dems on my ballot, but damn, I’m Obama all the way. Very cute picture of Ms. Cate. Love the pigtails!
Ack! I just saw that NC’s gone blue! Great job!!
OMG, I hadn’t seen that! Awesome!! That means that two states that were part of the Confederacy went for Obama. Halle-freakin’-lujah!!
And of course, it’s all because of those two 3-hour shifts that I volunteered for. All me. Yep. 🙂
Duuude, as narrow as the margin was, it very well might have been the votes you reached that tipped the balance. Thank you!!
that should have said voteRs, not votes. I suppose you could try to reach lots votes, but it’s probably not ethical. Or, um, legal.
So, can i go back to my day job now?