With the election over, we can take a look forward and try and assess where and who we are as a nation. I'll be the first to say that I was disappointed by the results the other night - I believe that Senator McCain is better qualified to deal with the issues of national security that I see as being critical for the future. On the other hand, I have to admit that President-elect Obama has the ability to energize the American people in a way that no other politician I know of can, and that could be a key asset in times to come.
Regardless, the people have spoken, and once again we have shown the world how a free country choses its leader - not by violence or bribery, but through free and fair elections (a few minor incidents aside). I'd call that a win for the good guys any day! And beyond that, we are now going to have the first African-American President in our history - which should put the final nail in the coffin of racism in this country.
That's not to say that there aren't still racist individuals out there, but the idea of America as a "racist nation" is now dead. How else can you explain 52% of Americans voting for a black man, other than the fact that they simply don't care what color his skin is, only whether or not they think he is the best man to lead the nation?
Now comes the hard part for the new President - governing the chaotic mess we call America. Me, I think I'd take up herding cats - its easier, and hurts less. I definitely believe he has his work cut out for him, and I'll admit to some trepidation over the policies I foresee him implementing - higher taxes, protectionism, skyrocketing energy costs, and so on. But all that remains to be seen, as of this writing.
For now, I keep thinking of the words of Stephen Decatur.
"Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong."
And so, we offer the newly elected President Obama our support and our loyalty as Commander-in-Chief and President of the United States.