A New America

I had to wait awhile to write...to let it all sink in, to think of something that someone hasn't said or will say a hundred times today and in the coming days. I am a Democrat was raised by Democrats who were raised by Democrats, I would have voted Democrat across the board for a President this year no matter what...but it wasn't a no matter what year. Barrack Obama got me excited about politics again. I was an environmental junkie in high school and early on in my 20s. Wanting to do my part to save the trees, the whales, the Earth. Going on protests against animal testing, refusing to write on anything that wasn't recycled, paying attention to the issues that mattered to me at the time,thinking I could make a difference. That involved politics, that involved listening to what my leaders were telling me about the environment and then watching to see if they followed through. I was at rallies and protests, I carried signs for my leader of choice and I was vocal to anyone who would listen and sometimes to people who wouldn't. I believed that one person could help, that one person could change someone's mind or make a corporation change their ideals. I wanted to live in a World where my voice mattered, even if I was just a waitress at a bar, or didn't finish college. I wanted to live in a country where I believed that my leader cared about what I believed in... who would fight along side of me and help me win no matter what the winning was about. I stopped trying to fight for these things when I realized that things weren't changing, when we as American elected a President eight years ago that gave us no call to action, that didn't inspire anyone to go out and change the world. I think that was how alot of Americans felt...if our leader didn't care why should we? I was watching the commentators last night and they were talking about Presidents from the past and how when JFK started the Peace Corp he had 3,000 people sign up before it was even formed. He inspired millions to react, to think, to do. I want a President like that again and I believe that we chose that man last night. We need a leader again someone to get us excited again. He might not have all the experience, and he will fail as he himself said. Last night will probably be his biggest night of popularity. All the people who voted for him will look starry eyed at him come the new year with hope and a longing that he can magically fix us, and we will no doubt be disappointed by the time that it will take to turn us around, but I believe it will happen. We need someone with the voice that people will listen to, we need someone with the charisma and persuasiveness to get us as Americans involved again to get us to want to pull ourselves out of this mess. I am so proud to be an American today. Last night as the West coast polls were closed and they almost immediately called Obama as the winner I looked over at Eric and just said "Wow" As I listened to the African Americans tell their stories, as I listened to the historians and the commentators talk about what a historical moment this is all I could say was Wow. The fact that slaves helped build the White House and it will now have an African American family living in its walls...Wow. The fact that he has inspired a nation, a nation that still has a strong racial divide, that still have people that think that a person is better because of the color of their skin, we are a nation that elected the first African American President. Wow. Good for us, good for America, for our children and our grandchildren. I am proud this day to be an American again.

Election Day

Is anyone else excited about this Tuesday? I just was sitting here going through my plans for the week and realized it was Tuesday. Now I know I must be living under a rock to not have realized that it is this Tuesday right? But in my defense, I think when you are a mom you kind of learn to turn all of that shit out you don't want to hear. And things like "Mom is my leg supposed to bend that way?" or "Wow Nathan's head sure bleeds alot", become more clear in my head than campaign ads and lawn signs. I am just really pumped to be able to vote this election. I voted in the last two elections and that didn't turn out all that swell (understatement) but I was never as excited about the nominee as I am this year.

Lily's school was having a mock election, mainly just trying to help the kids learn how the election process works, which is a hell of a good idea since she is the one that has informed me of alot of the stuff...I had no idea John McCain would be the oldest President if he is elected. Gotta love when your 7 year old out-smarts you. Now basically I realize the kids vote for who their parents tell them too... case in point, my Lily who voted for Obama after I drilled it into her head for days before the actual election throwing in that she would not be in the will if she did otherwise (kidding..sort of). I am doing her hair one morning and explaining to her the significance of this election year. How privileged she is to be an American and to be a part of a piece of history that some people thought would never happen. Whether it be the first African American President or the first Woman as Vice President. How cool is that? For her to be a female and be able to live through this is amazing. It was somewhat hard to explain to her, the importance of this year, the fact that this country is really in the shitter and we need someone to pull us out before the toilet gets completely clogged and spills all over the floor (which had just happened to us so she got that analogy)was the best I could do.

I don't really "do" politics I have my beliefs and my positions and sure I'm geeky and listen to the City Council on WCBU once a month. Hell my Dad worked as the Station Manager for WCBU all of my childhood and I was forced to listen to all those programs, and some of it seeped in apparently. But I am pretty narrow minded when it comes to what I believe in... not a great thing to admit about oneself, but people that have opposing idiotic ideas irritate me. Bothers me to the point that I just have to walk away or else I wouldn't trust myself to behave. I can listen to people who lets say oppose the city taking over the water company where as I agree with it, stuff like that doesn't get to me much. I can listen and talk about both sides. But beliefs in politics that are clearly influenced by how much money they earn, or the church they attend on Sunday mornings... ugh i can hardly write about it with out getting pissed off. So yeah I don't write alot about politics, but this year is so cool for lack of a better word, it is just cool. I am so glad my daughters can be a part of it. They are learning what the American people can (hopefully) do after a massive failure on the part of our government for the last 8 years. And now that I am technically somewhat of a grownup this election means more to me than any in the past. At the risk of sounding preachy, we all need to do our part, it was only such a short time ago in our history as a country that women weren't allow to vote, or African Americans weren't allowed to vote. That is what blows my mind when I hear my 93 year old Grandpa talk about the Civil Rights and Woman's Movements. Thinking of everything those people risked to change the way we think... we have to go and vote on Tuesday. It should be mandatory.

I can't wait to vote then come home and turn on the TV and pop some popcorn and bug the shit out of my boyfriend all night with results, red and blue states, statistics and polls and percentages! The only down side is that Tim Russert won't be around this year. When he died of a heart attack this June I cried for three days straight. Him and his dry erase boards will definitely be missed by this election day nerd : ) So vote even if you don't know who you want to vote for, just vote no excuses! I am watching you people!