What an unbelievable day this is. Not only does this country have the opportunity to elect the first black president of the United States, but, more importantly, we have the opportunity to get our country back. What this country is–what it truly stands for–has been lost over the last eight years. I am hopeful that after today we can start to re-establish what America means and what it means to be an American.
George Bush will go down as one of the worst presidents this country ever has seen. After eight years, we have gone from budget surpluses to record budget deficits. World opinion of the United States has never been lower. Energy policy, environmental policy, education policy all have suffered under George Bush. The George Bush presidency has been a colossal screw-up at great expense to this country. Undoing the damage will take time, but I truly am hopeful that Barack Obama can provide the leadership needed to make it happen. I have not felt this much hope for our country and our planet in a very long time.
Let’s hope a majority of Americans agree with me.
Responses to “A Truly Historic Day”
January 4th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Well written but I find little hope in our new president and democratic congress. For the last two years of “W’s” presidency, the democratic congress has done little to help reverse some very difficult problems. We are just getting into the “OBAMA” presidency and the corruption scandals from his hometown have already started. By the way, I am a black hispanic with immigrant parents. Being black doesn’t make a president.
January 4th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Joeanne,
The political scandals in Chicago have as little to do with Barack Obama as I’m sure any crime or scandal in your home town have to do with you. The fact that Obama is a politician from Illinois does not mean he’s tainted by the crimes or corruption of other politicians from Illinois.
I certainly agree with you that being black does not make a president. I’m a white male, and my decision to vote for Obama had nothing to do with race. Obama gives me hope because of his message, his vision for America, and his ability to inspire. It is to be seen whether his inspiration and leadership will affect Congress, which has had many, many years of poor to mediocre sessions.
November 17th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Very well written, Tim; I could not agree more.
I speak as a new immigrant, who has put a lot of hopes into this country. When we came here 9 years ago with hopes for a better life, we were just in time to see the end of the golden years, and the beginning of a total decline in whatever I believed the United States stood for. Yes, the bar really tipped and we went to record deficits, to unnecessary wars, to total ignorance and denial of changing climactic conditions, to the US losing credibility and respect with the rest of the world.. the list is endless.
And now, at last after 8 long years, at last there is real hope in my heart that change WILL be brought about. And yet, I fear that the damage may be irreversible…