Last night Barack Obama was voted in as the first black President-Elect in American history. Everyone is screaming about how this is an historical moment in our nation’s short time in existence. Well here is what I have to say: no matter which candidate was elected it would have been an historical moment. We were choosing a new leader; that is historic. Sure it is a big deal that in January the first black man will become the leader of the free world but again people, let’s stop calling him ‘President Obama’ until he takes the oath of office. Until next year we only have one President and his name (unfortunately) is George W. Bush. I do want to congratulate Barack on his victory. He is now in an elite fraternity of 43 other men. Good luck, sir.
The word change is getting thrown around over the last year or so. Change. Can you honestly look into your heart and search the inner regions of the depths of your mind and believe that one man can institute a massive amount of change? I can’t see it. The only thing that has changed is the ruling party of the Executive Branch of our government. A wise friend of mine said today, “As long as Democrats or Republicans are in power, I very much doubt we’ll see much change in this country…well, not good change, anyway”. I must agree, which is one of the reasons that I voted independent yesterday.
I don’t have anything against Mr. Obama personally. I didn’t really have much against my party’s candidate in McCain. I still felt that this election season, not unlike the several before it, we were given the option of two crappy candidates, or as South Park would say: a turd sandwich or a douchebag. I hope that I am completely wrong here. If Obama does institute great change it will only benefit me and my family as well as all of your families. I would love to say in four years from now, “hey, I was wrong”. The thing is I don’t think I will.
Another issue I have with the fact that Obama won last night is not with him but a small group of his followers. When John Kennedy became President in the 60s youth was served as it was last night but did young people storm the streets and act a fool chanting his name? I get the feeling that a lot of our young black voters were too busy voting for “the black guy” instead of just choosing the best candidate. Lots of these people probably couldn’t tell you what he stands for versus what Mr. McCain believed in. I bet they just saw an old white guy which is strongly evident in the fact that 97% of this demographic voted Democrat. That is a telling number. Also please let’s not continue treating this guy as Jesus Christ or a rock star (or Jesus Christ Superstar). People last night were off their rockers at his speech in Chicago. It seemed that they worked themselves into a lathered frenzy. It is good that we get passionate about politics but I think potentially a line could get crossed.
Maybe I am way off base and I hope that no one takes this as offensive. Maybe I sound like a defeated Republican or something but truly I am not. It is just my opinion regardless of political party affiliation. I just still feel like this election was based more on young vs. old and black vs. white instead of Democrat vs. Republican or Barack’s plan vs. John’s plan. If that is truly the case then what really has changed in this country? My answer is this: nothing.
