My Thoughts on our President-Elect

The election is over. Whatever your thoughts may be about the man, Barack Obama will be our next president. And I just want to say to everyone, "Let's give the guy a chance." I didn't vote for him. I thought there were others who were more qualified and better represented what is most important to me.

But I now pledge my support for Barack Obama for the following reasons:
-I have respect for the office of President of the United States
-I respect the will of the people of this nation (which, in this election, was overwhelming)
-Though I disagree with some of his ideas to go about it, I believe that Obama does want to change things for the better

I am not saying that I'm advocating silent compliance with whatever he does. On the contrary, part of being an American is voicing any reasonable disagreement with any policy--but let's really be reasonable.

My main frustration is this: I have already heard several people write off our new president as 'a terrorist' who 'will promise anything to anyone to get power' and just wants 'to destroy America.' Again, I'll agree that some of his ideas might sound a bit . . . perplexing . . . but DO YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE that his INTENT is to destroy America? I know most reading this don't believe such a thing, but let's not talk like it. Let's give him a full chance. Let's give him due CREDIT along WITH due criticism (I personally can't take people very seriously when all they can talk about are people's failings--have you even considered things from their point of view?!).

Obama is the new face for America, and I want it to do my part for our nation be seen in the best light possible.

I side with John McCain when he said:
"I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just
congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest
effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to
bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in
a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better
country than we inherited. Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans."
-John McCain in his concession speech to Barack Obama, November 4, 2008

I sincerely thank both candidates for working so hard in trying to better the country so dear to my heart.