I know its being written across the world, across the web, that tomorrow, history will be made. But I have to join in and say it as well. I can't believe the day of elections is finally upon us after the longest, most active election I can remember. I sit here today, nerves in a ball. Either way that this election goes, the emotional outcome I will feel will be overwhelming. I am praying that the outcome will be Obama and we will finally have a leader that can inspire us all to pull ourselves forward through this economic crisis. A leader who will pull us through this war and move us forward in issues at home that have been so neglected such as education and healthcare. A leader that has a moral conscious for this great planet that we live in and a recogniton that we need to work with the rest of the world to turn around global warming. A leader who recognizes that no matter what short term band-aids may fix oil prices for today, that it is imminent that in our lifetimes, total oil supplies are diminishing for good and that alternative sources must start being built out right now. How great it could be to say that on Nov 4th, 2008, we elected our first black president. That would be another great statement of hope and compassion, that we as a human race are moving forward and recognizing ourselves as one. What an amazing day tomorrow could be.
On the other hand, I am terrified of an outcome of a McCain victory. What statement would that make to the world about us? Bush has done so much in the last years to tear down the views from around the world that we are good, fair, and decent. A president who turned his back on Kyoto. A president who lied about the reasons for invading Iraq. A president who has fostered such hatred of our country in the Middle East. And then there's the Sarah Palin side. What are we telling the rest of the world about us and our relationship to them should we elect McCain/Palin who would just carry on more of the same Bush era views and doctrine? What are we saying about ourselves? We know better! Are we saying that we are so caught up in "me" that the most important thing in this election is not to raise "my" taxes for any reason whatsoever (and that wouldn't even happen with Obama, but its clearly how opponents position any democratic candidate). Me. Me. Me. I don't believe this country is like that. I hope we don't make that statement tomorrow.
Electing Obama would help make a clear statement, that we the people, do not think what has gone on in the last 8 years of the presidential administration is acceptable or ok. Period. No McCain is not Bush - but he's too similar.
Tomorrow - history is made - I hope to end the day ecstatic. I hope to end the day with a new inspiration on the future. Until then, it looks like I'm not going to sleep tonight. :)
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