I'm sure posts like this will be flooding the blog world today, but I'm not the least bit worried to be lost among the masses. In fact, I'm both excited and proud. I've never made my political allegiance a secret around here. I've always voiced how I felt and never felt guilty for having my convictions. That's the American way. So many people took a stand yesterday, on both sides of the fence. The fact that the race was so close just goes to show you how each and every vote counted. Voting is a civil right. You certainly don't have to exercise your right to vote, but if you did, you helped make history!
This is the first Presidential election that I truly cared about. I was of legal age during the '08 election and I sided Obama all the way, but I didn't really get involved in any way. I probably couldn't tell you why I was so gung-ho on Obama. I wasn't emotionally tied to any of the platforms, I didn't feel as though it related to me too much. Boy was I wrong. I feel like I've grown up a lot over the past 4 years and I feel like I made the right decision yesterday, and in 2008. While I may not agree with everything on Obama's bucket list for America, I certainly feel as though I'm in better hands because of him.
Women on the other side of the fence argued that women/civil issues were not as important as economic ones. Women on the blue side argued otherwise. There will never be a President who fully captures every issue, desire and demand of the American people. We're far too diverse of a country. Instead, we side with candidates who resonate with us. Who respect us. And that's why Obama got my vote yesterday. He respects me. He respects my friends.
I worried yesterday. I sat anxiously by all day, letting work fall to the wayside while I constantly refreshed the electoral college map. I was scared. But the sheer amount of pride I felt when Obama was announced as the re-elected president quickly washed away any of my worries. Pride. American Pride. Mike and I both cried during his acceptance speech. Knowing in our hearts what we felt to be right and true, and seeing it come to fruition before us... it was an incredible thing.
History was made yesterday! Tammy Baldwin, the first openly-gay (+ female, to boot!) senator was elected into office. Maize Hirono, the first Asian-American female senator was elected into office. Tammy Duckworth, the first disabled (veteran!) woman was elected into the House of Reps. Washington state and Colorado vote to legalize recreational marijuana! Maine, Washington and Maryland are just three more victories to add to the legalization of same sex unions.
This is the America I'm proud to be part of. Regardless of where you stand on these issues you have to admit, it's pretty frickin' 2012 of us and it's amazing to see history being made. Let's just cross our fingers and hold onto our britches because measures to overturn many of these things will undoubtedly be plentiful. This is progress. This is us moving forward. And this is me being excited about a (hopefully slightly) more radical approach to how we do things around here because he doesn't have to worry about seeking reelection once more.
I welcome all opinions and beliefs on LCH. You're welcome to state your opinion as long as you do so in a polite way. Malicious comments on either side of the fence will be removed. Thanks for letting me share my excitement!
