Moving on...

So…President Obama it is. I’m glad. I supported him. Early on in the primaries, I actually was pulling for John Edwards. Better qualified and more experienced than both Obama and Hilary. Unfortunately, despite his All-American looks, he ultimately proved to fulfill that age old stereotype of sleazy lawyer by cheating on his cancer stricken wife. Now, there’s integrity for you. He’s done. Shelved. So we moved on to the great battle between the “never-before’s”…a woman and a black man for president in a 2008 America. But as much as gender and race had so much at stake, it was ultimately the idea of change that triumphed. The “idea” of a new beginning pulled at the heartstrings of Americans in such a way that “change” trumped “experience” on both sides of the isle. McCain didn’t win and neither did Hilary. Whether or not Obama holds true to that concept of “real change” is yet to be seen.

But what didn’t win this time…thank God…was fear. The same tactic that has been used for decades, and specifically for the last 8 years, finally dissolved. And I’m glad. For all their pride in defense, triumph and security, the republicans couldn’t scare America enough this time. Disagree all you want, but it has been a message so beaten into our heads that common sense finally came out victorious. When the messages of fear for our national security and our borders didn’t work anymore than the message became about socialism, guilt by association and at their lowest point, Islamic fundamentalism of a fellow American…simply to hold on to power. But was that the real opposition to the man with the funny name?

The most telling differences in this race for the White House were displayed in the final speeches on election night. When John McCain delivered what I consider to be one of the most inspiring concession speeches in American history, it was his booing, disrespectful and shameful supporters who stole his thunder. Completely undermining the respect of a truly great American, John McCain. I never saw a group of people who I think should have been more ashamed of themselves then the gathering at the Arizona Biltmore on Tuesday evening. It showed me how intense the hateful ideology of the right has become and how it has completely overshadowed the reasonable and often prudent system of governing that was once the pride of the republican party. But no more. Now it’s about trashing an honorable American (in Obama) who is actually living the dream which they claim they’re all about. When government handouts are responsible for welfare abusers and America is the land where anyone can succeed, the story of a man with mixed race, mixed religion and a broken home can still become president…is lost because he doesn’t share the same ideology. It shows you that it’s not about opportunity and freedom. It’s about belief and ideology.

All the conservative columnists can write about how Obama will make this a socialist nation, ruling with a recklessly liberal agenda…but I will publically say that an alarmingly high majority of republican voters I’ve spoken with ALL have told me of their fears because, partly, they believe Obama to be a Muslim. Nearly EVERY one of them. Not even a “radical” Muslim, but just a Muslim. The ignorance is astounding. And it is lost on them. People I love. People I respect can’t even question a talking point or make the distinction between two differing philosophies. And dare I say that much of it came directly, without passing GO, from their churches and pastors. They admitted as much. The biggest selling points of the election (as dictated by the churches) were that Obama wants to kill babies for eternity and allow gays and lesbians to take over their morality. So I shake my head all the more. Elections, for most conservatives, are rarely about real issues. They center on abortion and homosexuality. With a little fear mongering sprinkled in.

Of course, these same people accuse me of my own ignorance, and how could I be so duped by what some have called, the devil himself. In the book of Revelation, they speak of a charismatic leader who will lead everyone down the path to hell. As if there could never, ever exist just a leader who is charismatic. It MUST have devilish consequences. Not exactly the optimism that is supposedly American.

Fear.

The American people are obviously tired of the fear. It’s time now for more than change. It is time now for something completely different. Not just in leadership, but in the essential nature of the American people. My republican friends say only time will tell what Obama will do. What will he really "change"? That seems a bit hyprocritical to me. If you truly believe in limited government, regardless if you can control it or not, I think the question should be...what in our lives will we now change to better our families and our future?