About The Election

I defer to one of the world’s proverbs that I should, perhaps, pay more attention to:

Speech is silver,

Silence is golden.

Silence will be my only comment on the election results until I regain consciousness!

The Election Charade Begins

Have you also noticed how many candidates running for office this time around are NOT identifying whether they are Republican or Democrat in their TV ads?

I’d be ashamed to say I was identified with either party too if I wanted to be elected. I think many citizens have figured out the ploy, but in case you haven’t, PLEASE research beyond the ads for who these people really are and who is paying their political bills.

Congress has the lowest approval rating in history—because they DO NOTHING if they can possibly avoid it. After all, committing to something may upset some of the fat cats who send them money. Yes, I know, some good acts have been passed, but the bottom line is that elected members of Congress have only one goal—getting re-elected—and if it takes lying to you and me to do it, by all means lie they will.

I am still trying to decide whether I will even vote for dogcatcher this time around. I am totally frustrated by the mess in Washington that we call Congress, the White House and most of all, the Supreme Court. I have voted in every election since I first became eligible. That’s a LOT of years! I have considered it a privilege to be able to voice my opinion by the marks I put on the ballot. And, like many, I mostly feel the representatives in my own state know what they are doing and truly represent MY interests. It’s those other guys/gals in other states who are fouling things up! Now I’m not even sure that is true. Maybe it IS time to throw them ALL out!

Whatever YOU decide, do it intelligently, which means STAY AWAY FROM THE FOX NEWS NUTBALLS! There! I’ve said it. Now you can do as you please.

A New Dawn

The other day I was having lunch with a friend and we were talking about the election (like almost everyone else) and my friend mentioned how it looked like we had a real opportunity to restore a positive image of our country in the world. I reflected that I found myself feeling really happy for a change, like a heavy malaise had been lifted. Thinking about this discussion later it seemed like a new dawn had begun.

Like so many millions of others following the election I was deeply moved by the sense of promise that had been awakened across not only our country, but also around the world. This morning as I read the paper I came across Paul Krugman’s editorial. The Nobel Prize winning economist began by saying, “Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, is a date that will live in fame forever. If the election of our first African-American president didn’t stir you, if it didn’t leave you teary-eyed and proud of your country, there’s something wrong with you.”

That is exactly how I felt. I am so proud of our fellow Americans that we could see through the haze of despondency and fear and elect a person as president who has the calm, thoughtful demeanor to set us on a new path toward personal and social reconstruction. We may not all have voted for President Barack Obama, but he is now the president for us all. He is the one faced with the task of setting our course for at least the next four years. He will need all the help he can get. So far, it seems to me he is doing a pretty good job of surrounding himself with the wise, energetic and positive people necessary to getting that job done.

It’s a new dawn! I for one am going to enjoy basking in the sunlight of that dawn and the promise of the new day it portends.

The Fat Lady Has Sung!

At 11:00 PM EST by MSNBC

I have been told by a trusted source, Flat Stanley, that the fat lady has sung and the election is over. The President has been chosen! Flat Stanley is a world traveler who is visiting me directly from my grandson’s home in Cocoa, Florida. Kyle is seven years old and Flat Stanley is part of his school project. You can check out this interesting program in general at: http://www.flatstanley.com/

I don’t know about you, but I for one am glad it is finally all over but the shouting! Whether your candidate won not, it is now time for us all to come together and support the new leaders who will be taking this country forward for the next four years.

This has been an extraordinary campaign in all respects. More people have become involved in the various campaigns from the primaries through the election. It has attracted and spent the most money ever. It has lasted longer than any previous campaign. It has demonstrated the typical demagoguery we have come to expect from politicians. It has produced some of the most unpleasant (and untruthful) advertising ever. The Internet has become the new platform for waging a campaign, with both positive and negative effects. The broad diversity of our populace has been demonstrated and our cultures blended. There has also been a parallel high road of integrity and compassion at some points shown by some.

No matter whom you voted for, I hope your candidate won. Also, no matter who won nothing of great value can be accomplished if we simply return to the sidelines to see what happens next. Will we now continue to actively work to build a better society, to meet with those with different opinions and who made other choices? Will we look for areas where we can agree in order to take the actions our passionate participation hoped for? It is up to YOU and it is up to ME. Concerned discussions are wanted. Tolerance and trust are needed. Expect the best from those we have elected and hold the faith! Stay involved at whatever level you are able.

A better homeland and world is possible for all of us!