Winds of Change

So the election is finally over--can i have a hallelujah??!

I am not a particularly "political" person. I used to be a serious news-junkie, but, honestly, after 9/11, things got so negative that i had to turn it off. I keep track of things online. I watch CNN on occasion. I feel like i'm a fairly well-informed person. But i don't like "talking" politics. Much like i don't like "talking" religion. It's just not my thing. I am a somewhat quiet and very private person. But this isn't a post about religion.

Surprisingly, this is a post about politics. This will most likely be my one-and-only such post ever.

When it came down to Obama and McCain, i remember thinking, "is this really the best we have out there?" In a very small nutshell, I liked Obama's positivity but didn't like his lack of experience. I liked McCain's experience (military service, foreign policy experience, years in the Senate) but didn't really like the way he comes off in the press (and Sarah Palin?). When it came down to the vote, i voted McCain. I felt like i aligned a bit more with his views than Obama's. And i did feel like he would implement positive changes and wouldn't be "just another Bush."

So McCain lost. No big surprise. And so many people out there who voted for him are absolutely beside themselves.

Me? I'm OK with it. I'm upbeat and cautiously optimistic that these next four years in our nation's history will be met with more good than bad. I hope the economy can turn around. I hope my parents will be able to retire soon as they planned with the money they've worked so hard to save. I hope that if we bring troops home soon, that we can do so safely and leave those countries somewhat stable. I hope for less turmoil here and abroad. I hope for a safer world to raise my children (hey, i can hope, right?). And while, personally, i could care less if a candidate is female or a race other than white ( i just want the best person for the job), I'm happy that we have a black president. We can now leave that issue behind. It's fantastic to see that race isn't as much of an issue as some people like to make it out to be. I hope Obama is as great a president as he is an inspiring speaker. I hope Obama surrounds himself with an excellent administration and advisors to fill in some of the gaps he may have (i mean, they all have gaps. i certainly questioned some of the advice Bush got over the years). I hope that we the people can actually work together instead of being so divided.

Of all the memories i have of 9/11, one good that actually came out of it, was that Americans came together. People were kinder and more aware of their neighbors. A little more patient and helpful. It only lasted a short while, but it would be so nice if that were more the norm again.

Now, what i look forward to in my immediate future? NOT receiving 15 political calls a day (i think next election? i'm changing my status to something other than "independent." Maybe that will cut down on calls!). I'm looking forward to time with my family. I'm excited my brother is coming here for Thanksgiving. I love that Christmas is around the corner. I can't wait to break out the music and enjoy all the fun of the holidays with friends and family.

So I'll stand behind president-elect Obama and hope that he can make a positive difference. And hope that he has a very Happy Holiday, too, because he's got a whole lot on his plate come January 20th.