Right now my clock says 10:33 am on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. Next to me, laying on my bed, is a copy of The Birmingham News with a giant portrait of Barack Obama and a headline in giant, bold letters that say "OBAMA WINS." This is sort of the moment I've been waiting for, ever since I made my decision to support the Illinois Senator back in the spring, voted for him over Hillary Clinton on Super Tuesday, and finally cast my ballot yesterday at the local town hall.
Last night, after most of the votes were in, I watched John McCain give his concession speech. I thought it was a great speech. I thought that the way the senator carried himself was remarkable in light of the circumstances. He showed dignity, respect, and humility. He quieted the crowd, whiched booed at the very mention of Barack Obama's name. He admitted to mistakes, taking all the blame on himself, even though it wasn't really his fault he lost. He made no attempt to show any kind of bitterness, selfishness, or anger. And he did his best to promote national unity after a long election process that got ugly at several points. Even though he lost the election, I am glad that John McCain still has a place in the Senate.
Now, just hours after Obama has been declared the President-Elect, and I've seen what some of John McCain's supporters are saying, I have come to the conclusion that all these people didn't vote for John McCain so much as they voted against Barack Obama. A person would almost think that this is the end of America from what many people are saying. All of a sudden gay people are going to run rampant in the streets, terrorists are going to invade our "weak" country, faith and morality will cease to exist, communism will make a comeback, and a turban-wearing President Obama will declare himself dictator and fly his dragon through the night sky of Washington D.C.
Now that I think about it, no one has told me why they like John McCain. It has all been about why they don't like Obama. And most of the time it hasn't been about policy. It's been things like, "I just don't trust him" or "He is way too liberal" or (my favorite) "You can't be a Christian and vote for Obama." (Well I can, and I just did.) Rather than stating what good John McCain can do for this country, people have just been stirring up fear of how Barack Obama is going to trash it. Not only is that insulting to Obama, but it is unfair to John McCain.
I am glad that when I cast my ballot yesterday, I actually voted for somebody. I can safely say that I wasn't motivated by fear, by the illusion that the other guy is inherently evil. It is my honest belief that Barack Obama is going to make the United States a much better country. Instead of being an international bully, we will become a nation that champions justice and rational decision making when it comes to war. Instead of being a polarized society with an enormous gap between the poor and the wealthy, we will be a country of opportunity.
All the rest of you, enjoy your time in Canada, or Italy, or wherever else you claim that you're moving to.
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5 comments:
I totally agree with you. All I have heard is why people are voting AGAINST Obama, and not for McCain.
Yesterday, Kevin's mom called him and wanted him to drive home and vote. He told her he didn't know who he wanted to vote for and she said "Kevin, it's not about who you vote for, it's who WE are voting against."
It's funny how people assume that you have the same opinion as you do, and when they find out that isn't the case, they either want to fight you, or don't want to talk about it anymore. It's also funny how people vote based on what that don't know. Kevin's mom is obviously not the only one guilty of that.
As far as I know, both John McCain and Barack Obama are good men. I don't fear Obama becoming a dictator because as long as we keep the balance of powers intact, that is next to impossible. I do, however, disagree with their policies. I fear that the policies presented will lead to socialism. Again, does that make them bad people? No, you can have bad ideas with good intentions.
I was never one who claimed to be a supporter of McCain because I don't really see how you can hate Obama yet love McCain. I don't really see THAT much of a difference in their ideas. Yes, he is a little more conservative which I do like; but would it really be enough to make a differnce? That, we'll probably never know because McCain will probably be dead by time the next election comes around.
i love you matt.
I didn't want to vote for either, but my political and ethical beliefs are a bit more in line with McCain. When I researched their positions on the major issues, I had a hard time finding much definitive information for either one, but they seemed to say similar things in relation to energy.
I'm glad Obama wants to get rid of or reform No Child Left Behind, but he hasn't said anything about what he wants to do in its place. I am NOT okay with either candidate's opinion to pay teachers based on performance (also known as students' test scores) because some kids just will not test well - like inner city kids, rural areas, ELL students, and students with disabilities.
I am concerned that we can elect Obama as president but because of his known ties with terrorists, he would not be eligible to serve in his own secret service. His foreign affairs are alarming. The fact that he openly does not support Israel is a huge issue, and history has proven that nations do not succeed when they do not stand behind that country.
I do agree with helping people who are struggling. I think that's Biblical. However, socialism doesn't work, so he will have to be very careful with his strategies for doing so. I also believe in responsibility. The government should not have to pay our mortgages just because we cannot live within our means.
And finally, because the opportunity could arise to appoint a new supreme court member and possibly turn the balance to a more conservative side that could overthrow "Roe vs. Wade," there was no argument for me.
I wanted to write in Condoleezza Rice.
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