In growing up I have learned to be ashamed for being an American, for I represented the decisions made by the Bush administration. No longer shall that happen. I will now represent hope and progress to the rest of the world, I am here so see freedom come alive once more. For the first time in history an African American is President. For the first time in forty-four years my state voted Democrat. For the first time in my life I can say, with all honest, that I am proud to be an American.

Radicals like Jessie Jackson wanting to remove his gonads don't matter. He has to make things happen.

He isn't even the president elect yet. The electoral college could still elect someone else and it hit him. What John McCain said about letting the Bush Tax cut (actually the Senate Tax cut, they wrote it) makes sense now. John doesn't sound so senile now. And BO has now gotten religion. They get mad when I use his middle name Hussein so I have shortened it to BO. Tax cuts are good, even the Bush Tax cut as he lied and called it. He is now going to let it expire on its own. Radicals take note. He backed out on one of his campaign promises. He wasn't worth the 600 million you paid to buy the election for him. Want to know what happened? An hour after he made the announcement the stock market was up 250 points. I can just see BO looking at his advisors. "McCain was right. What else was he right on? I can't tell George and Michael that we aren't going to do what we promised. They will not buy the election in 2012. God, Sara is out there. She may not be satisfied with me out of the White House. She will gut me. It will be worse than having Jessie Jackson here. He just wants to make two external incisions. Michelle thought it was a good idea. She doesn't want to be burdened with another baby."

And so it is in transition.

Obama is in favor of complete & total compliance of the American people, he wishes them not to question, nor to protect a moral, safe, stable, well built up American style culture that has existed since the founding of the country. McCain will spend our young men overseas like a spend thrift as he is a cold blooded monster waiting to expand American imperialism, and he will show no end to his expansion of Homeland security. McCain will turn the US into 1984 and he will reinstate Big brother policies as he will show no mercy to those who defy his will. Let's look at the actual differences between the Republicans & Democrats A majority of both parties supported the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, and they still do Obama & McCain both said their not pulling troops out.

Oh we know how the war on terror is going, both parties both support it.
National ID act, Social security, Free Trade, Partial birth Abortion, and the North American Union is supported by both parties.

More Fed & state programs will be initiated to rob us more of hard money we work for.

In the late 1950's I was working for McCoy Electronics; an electronics manufacturer in Mt. Holly Springs, PA. A union started a drive to organize the company. They started handing out cards, thinking this was a walk in the park. Initially they handed a card to each employee with a smile and a handshake. The request to sign the card was friendly but the number of signatures fell far short of the number needed to call for a union election.

Over a few weeks the requests to sign got more intense. Statements like, "If you know what is good for you, you will sign" were thrown out at times. I know because I was threatened. I was also told that if I didn't sign I would not have a job when "the union took over". The union disavowed knowledge of this tactic but the people who were handing out the cards were in their employ. If this had been a management person threatening they would have called "foul". With the increased pressure they got the required amount of cards. I know people who signed only to get the organizers off their back and stop the hassles.

The election was held and in spite of having 51% of the cards signed, the union only got about 18% of the vote. The union rep was at the voting area and challenged the right to vote of several employees, all ones who refused to sign cards. I was one of them. I have heard the stories about company union busting and I am sure the company did a few things that were at least in the gray area but I was unaware of anything improper and the questionable union activities were rampant.

Let's roll ahead fifty years.

The unions gave heavily to Obama and the radical rabble that are accompanying him are considering the check off system for union certification. It would bypass the pesky secret ballot. Democrats who have talked the secret ballot now want to do away with it. Is this a portent for what they want for presidential elections?

Go back to my experience. Let's say that the Obama desecration of the secret ballot had been in effect. Threats, violence, coercion and even forged documents would have been in vogue. When the end, a certification, justifies the means it is easy to justify even maiming and murder. And don't tell me union leaders don't have the stomach for it. I have worked with the UAW for thirty three years in the same plant. I have seen threats, harassment, and violence against persons and property. In one strike I personally had my car damaged, harassing phone calls at home and a fictitious police report filed against me. And the men who did it claimed they were told it was "protected activity" by the union.

This change in the law will not give more opportunity to workers. It will place them in jeopardy.

    There are three good reasons I like Barack Obama;

1. He's a genuine guy, who I would trust my kids (if I had any) with.
2. He gives off this aura of confidence and respect.
3. He didn't really openly attack anyone (with words, of course)
   

    If this little article can't change your mind about Mr. Obama, then maybe the next four years will. Heres to a beautiful four years under the Obama Administration! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray!

Oh, how times have changed. It was just 22 months ago that the press had heralded her as the frontrunner for the Democratic Party's nomination for president. Victory was all but a foregone conclusion. First she would conquer the Democrats, then win the General Election and in the process make history by becoming the first female president. Remember her announcement when she declared she was running? She proudly proclaimed, “She's in it to win it.” Whats more, she meant every word.

But as the old saying goes, “Life is what happens while you are making plans.” The unthinkable happened, she lost the nomination. The reasons for her defeat are debatable; depending upon which camp you belong to. Whether it was a misrun campaign, political gaffes, an underestimation of the “Obama Phenomena” or a combination of all of the above, the fact remains she lost. She will not be the first female president in 2008. The dream may be dead for now. But don't feel sorry for her. Her star may shine a tad dimmer presently, but her future is bright and she has numerous options to choose from.

Now never let it be said that Hillary isn't a team player. As promised during her concession speech, she was seen with Obama on the campaign trail shaking hands, making the obligatory sweet talk and attempting to rally her supporters behind him. Regardless whether she thought Obama was as strong a candidate as she was (she didn't), the last thing she wanted to see was another Republican sworn in as president this fall. So she placed her pride aside and did the honorable thing, the team thing.

The speculation of Hillary being on the Democratic ticket is over. Before Biden's selection as Obama's running mate, there was compelling evidence suggesting her pairing with Obama would be an electoral smash hit. Here's why. Hillary's strength was with white women and middle class voters. Obama's strength was with African-Americans and young voters, theoretically their teaming would create a political dream team. However after their meeting at Senator Barbara Feinstein's home in June, though they both were cordial, it was evident the scars of the campaign were too much to overcome. But more importantly, even with Dick Cheney's revamping of the vice presidency, Hillary wasn't seriously interested in being anyone's number 2.

A much better fit for her would be a spot on Obama's cabinet, for example secretary of state. There she would yield considerable power, influence and be on the world stage. She'd be able to help shape US foreign policy on hot topics like expanding NATO and the Middle East. Better yet, she'd do a great job, so look out Condi!

How about Governor Clinton? Yes, the Governor of the great state of New York. An intriguing possibility to say the least. Following in the footsteps of Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt, she could use the office as a launching pad for her next run at the presidency. Currently David Paterson holds the office, replacing the disgraced Eliot Spitzer. She could probably win the office if she ran, but she doesn't covet this office so Governor Paterson's job is probably safe.

Supreme Court Justice Clinton? Sound absurd? Well maybe, maybe not. Nominating one's political rival is not unheard of. In 1860 and 1864 Abraham Lincoln and Salmon Chase opposed each other in two bitterly contested races. After Lincoln's re-election in 1864, he nominated Chase for the Supreme Court. Dwight Eisenhower and Governor Earl Warren of California fought for the Republican nomination in 1952. After a pre-arranged deal, President Eisenhower nominated Warren to the bench in 1953. Could Obama nominate Hillary to the bench upon the next opening? Stranger things have happened.

How about a third party run for the presidency? Conventional wisdom says a third party candidate can't win the presidency, it's never been done and it can't be done. If you weren't aware of the following facts let me enlighten you. The words “never” and “can't” aren't a part of her vocabulary. What's more she has 18 million reasons to run which are considerably more than John Anderson, Ross Perot or Ralph Nader could lay claim to before Election Day. Remember again, Hillary's a team player. She thinks she'll have another shot at the brass ring. So she won't rock the boat. Now, if she were 10 years older, well…

There are a plethora of other possibilities. Television, ambassador, talk shows host, political commentary, news anchor, "Dancing With the Stars" (can you imagine Bill and Hillary doing the tango on national tv?) But my point is clear, she has a world of options.

When Hillary finally conceded the press delivered its usual dose of doom and gloom when alluding to her career. Things looked bleak, as if there were no tomorrow. However after the dust settled a strange thing happened. Hillary actually seemed to be, if not in an enviable position, definitely not in the dire political straits as reported. Seems, “The rumors of her demise were greatly exaggerated,” to borrow from Mark Twain.

Now for just one last thing. Don't ever forget, her dream, her goal, her aspiration is to become president. The first female president. The leader of the free world. She sees the possibility. Even more the country sees the possibility. And she came close. Very close. Ooh, so close. Though from time to time she may say she's not interested in another run for the presidency, don't ever believe her. It just wasn't meant to be... this time. So in the meantime look for her to do her duty and remain a senator. She'll bide her time, wait and see how things unfold over the next few years. Then she'll decide what her next move is. Translation? We have definitely not seen the last of Hillary Rodham Clinton. So don't shed any tears for her. I wonder if she can sing?

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!

During all of the presidential campaigning, I could not figure out just where my family fit in.  We take care of our own responsibilities.  We do not want a handout from the government.  I can not understand why we would want a president who wants to find more ways for the government to bare the financial responsibility of its people.  What exactly are my duties to my fellow countrymen?   Who am I?  Since I have been old enough to understand the political verbiage that is proclaimed throughout past and present elections, all I can divulge is that the Republicans generally help the wealthy stay wealthy, and the Democrats seek to keep the public dependent, in essence, they keep the poor, poor. Just who am I?  I am not wealthy, and since I pay my bills myself, I am not poor, but who am I? 

Are we the only working family in America that does not mind paying for our own health benefits?  Are we the only ones who think handouts are destroying the workforce and character of the working class?  Is it wrong of me to think you, too, should bare you own load and not that of those who do not.  I see it on a weekly basis, people who quit good, stable jobs only to file for welfare and food stamps.  I have stood in line at the grocery store behind individuals with buggies full of groceries, diapers and alcoholic beverages, only to pay with their EBT (food stamps) card.  It is strange how they can afford the alcohol, but the government is buying the groceries, but who am I?  Is it wrong to think that a person’s children are not the state’s responsibility? 

Who am I?  I like paved roads and protection from crime.  I pay my taxes because it is my duty.  I do not mind paying the weekly insurance premiums in order to keep our family’s health looked after.  But who am I?  I am a thirty year old, married, working mother.  I do not have any problems with the health care coverage our family pays for.  My husband and I both work full time.  We pay our taxes and our bills. We have a combined income of less than $80,000 per year.  We do not receive or ask for governmental assistance.  We are not looking for extraordinary ways to get out of our debt.  We own two vehicles that are both ten years old.  We live in a small house in a very small town in South Georgia.  We are both slowly educating ourselves to give us other opportunities of employment, should we have the need or desire for such.  We are not defeated nor are we hardly disheartened by the stock market tumble.  We live our lives the way we can afford to.  Who am I?   I’ll tell you, I am not a Democrat.  I am not a Republican.  I am not a Libertarian.  I am not Joe the plumber.  I am not an idealist.  I am an American, doing what I was taught Americans do:   love their GOD, love their country, treat people well and take responsibility for themselves.  Though I know who I am, throughout all of the campaigning, I could not figure out where I belonged, and it just has me wondering, in the eyes of our President-elect, who am I?

Obama was born to a white mother and a Kenyan father, making him an African American, mixed race. The rights movement is a big part of Obama's legacy, as he is the first black president this drew many issues of racism into the presidential contest. Yet Barrack Obama never really referred to the rights movement. It was obvious that there was some aspect of prejudice against him with many links to "Osama Bin Laden" being attributed towards him. His main rival, John McCain, also tried to associate socialism with him as well. Barrack Obama's bid has gone from low to high, with skeptics saying that America wasn't ready for a black president, yet his popularity rose and rose.

The new president means new policies and a new direction for the country and so the world. He will have a new team influencing his decisions on the current finical crisis to what role America is going to play in cutting greenhouse gasses. There will be new laws and new benefits for Americans yet he is also most likely to remove some of the things that have served American society for a long time.

It is impossible to say how Obama is going to respond to the new job and in which direction he takes America. It is also impossible to tell whether it will be from the better or worse for any person, yet American citizens have chosen their next president and are going to have to live with that for another four years. As the new president elect gets ready for his inauguration a few issues will definitely be on Barack Obama's mind, including the very fist decision he needs to make... what will the design of the carpet in the Oval office will be like.

Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States and unlike me; he seems to have a fondness for the word change. His campaign speeches always contained some form of a promise of change. The question is, are the people ready for change? Will the hourglass be turned over as soon as Obama takes office?

Change is rarely easy, or quick. This country finds itself in a critical state and this didn't happen overnight, nor will the solutions to fix it. Come February will people already be looking for signs of change? Change will not occur overnight, in a month, or even in a year. Will patience be shown, while the new president elect tries to right this ship?

The end of the Iraq war, stabilizing the economy, fixing the housing market, alternatives to aid the energy crisis, these are but some of the issues facing the new administration. Barack Obama has made elegant speeches, motivated people, and created excitement and hope. He is on top of the world right now, a scary place to be. It's lonely at the top and there are always those waiting and eager for you to fall.

The American people are ready for change. Will we be patient enough to wait for it?