November 4, 2008--a date which will be forever remembered as the night the United States of America truly became "united". We (at least a good portion of us) put aside our fears and prejudices and elected an African-American to the Presidency. I confess, when I first heard Obama's plans for our country, I had already decided to support Hillary Clinton. However, Obama still intrigued me with his grasp of policy and what everyday working people like me think and feel.
As the primaries, then the general election fights wore on and became progessively (regressively?) negative, I began to get heartily sick of the entire process. When Obama secured the Democratic nomination, I realized he was the best choice for our embattled nation to move forward with. Our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the financial meltdown/recession and other issues have sent our country reeling. I listened to speeches, debates and positions being staked out at rallies. I heard people all over our country buying into the lies about Obama--"he's really Muslim, not Christian", "he associates with known terrorists", "he's not part of the 'real' America".
I'm sorry, but what did I just hear?? The man speaks to the experiences and issues I have faced for the past eight years! Okay, so he was born of an American woman from our heartland and an African man from Kenya. Our country is filled with descendants of immigrants from Germany, China, Ireland, Poland, Japan, France, you name it. When the "other campaign" was digging into the mud, pulling up worm scum and flinging it at Obama, I was ashamed to be associated with the "real" America. Obama lived through poverty after his father left. His mother took the time and trouble to educate and point him in the direction of becoming a curious, inquisitive citizen of this country. So did his "toot".
I had a job as a professional, a social worker; after suffering from burn out I lost that position, as well as another I accepted immediately afterward. I decided to work from home as a fund raising director. This was immediately after 9/11, when our financial markets turned downward after the attacks in New York and D.C. Our economy took a hit then, which means employment prospects for professionals like me were slim and getting slimmer. I eventually found work as a research associate (calling survey respondents from a CATI system and recording their responses to my questions). I did this work for 18 months. Sorta' paid my bills. I became an Activity Director for one of the retirement communities in my home town. Sold cars. Returned to school and earned my bachelor degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. Sold insurance. Now I'm a tutor. A writer. For the past eight years, I have routinely held at least two jobs simultaneously while raising two boys.
Now the economy is back in the toilet, figuratively speaking. I have two degrees under my belt and it's taken me nearly two years to find my current position!
Our current administration actively promoted deregulation and allowed financial companies, mortgage giants and banks to mix home loans and securities into one very unattractive stew. Potentially millions of families could lose the family homestead; jobs are vanishing as if magicked away by Harry Potter's wand; the retail sector is reeling; the auto industry is teetering on a sharp precipice; and McCain said the fundamentals of our economy are "sound". My income is minimal, just about enough to pay my monthly bills, but "not quite". Thus, three jobs while I finish raising my 18-year old.
We are caught in two wars, one necessary and the other a folly. (Think Seward's Folly and nickname the "non-war" in Iraq as "Bush's Folly".) Over 4,000 of our best, brightest and most productive young men and women have perished because of the lies of the Bush/Cheney/Rove administration. My oldest, when he graduates from New Mexico State University in May 2009, will very likely follow his fellow service men and women into active service. Scared? After reading the latest on the unrest in Iraq in today's New York Times, you betcha! His kid brother wants to follow in his footsteps. I only hope that the folly imposed on us in Iraq will be winding down by the time my oldest finishes his officer's training. Don't get me wrong -- I applaud anyone who wants to serve their country in our military. It's a choice filled with sacrifice and honor. I'm a former military wife. Lived in Germany back in the 80's. What sticks in my gullet is knowing that a young man who spent seven years of his life earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a supplemental math major, could have all that blasted away by an IED.
That's why I am so excited by Barack Obama's election to the presidency. I watched his press conference last Friday. His responses to all questions were thoughtful and respectful. His campaign ads (the ones where he spelled out his plans for our economy and health care) were equally well thought-out and expressed. No negativity toward the Republican ticket. When he was attacked and smeared with the Ayers paintbrush, he didn't respond in kind. After he remarked on making contact with living presidents and he made his remark about seances, he called Nancy Reagan immediately after his press conference and apologized for offending her. He thinks about his childrens' needs and health as in finding a dog with low allergy-inducing potential because Malia has asthma. He is sensitive to the nuances of being a President-Elect and trying not to step on the toes of the current President (whatever he, or we, may think of Mr. Bush). He knows he has to act quickly to make choices which could turn our financial mess around.
So, yes, I'm excited. I voted early and I voted for Obama. My son's vote canceled my vote out. Mine canceled his out. Whether red state or blue state, our entire country is facing a sea change, and I can't wait to see what's going to happen!
