I don’t think I have ever been so interested in a presidential election and Innauguration.  Don’t get me wrong.   I’ve always voted in them, I feel it is my right and my duty.  And when I was able to I watched the Innauguration.  But this one has been so very different.  I have never seen such passion, particularly for those in the Obama camp.

We are a nation in turmoil.  Back on  September 11, 2001 our stability was rocked and we were forced into the realization that we were not overtly safe on our own soil.   This was a crushing blow to most of us.  We had listened to the news and read about the threats and concerns of other nations, had sympathized and cried over terrorist attacks not on American soil.  But when it happened to us, when tragedy struck it was sobering.

There have been many developments since then, our nation went to war, our freedoms were harnessed and our faith - not in God - but in mankind - wavered.

Fast forward to now, our nation is in an economic downward spiral.  Banks and businesses are going under, the unemployment rate is growing every day, good jobs are getting harder and harder to come by.  Everyday people have seen their retirement savings dwindle to a fraction of what it was.  Families are losing their homes, and many more people are joining the ranks of the hungry.   The future is still up in the air.

And yet, as a nation we are hopeful.  Even those of us who did not support Obama seem to know that we need to work together.  That we need to embrace him as our President, pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and get busy trying to make things right again.  The coverage of the Innauguration was so very moving.  I had the misfortune of having scheduled a doctors appointment that day (what was I thinking?) and had several pressing errands to run but was able to catch the important parts in between my errands.  

Even in the waiting room the tv was on with coverage of the events leading up to the swearing in.  Every person in the office sat, eyes glued to the tv, not taking.  I dropped off the kindergarten enrollment fee at Ross’ school - again - the little tv was in the office with staff watching intently.  At the library, quickly dropping off books the tv was poised in the main lobby with workers and patrons alike standing and watching as our new Vice Presient and President were sworn into office.   

This moment in our history will always be a highpoint.  Now that we have our first African American President - maybe we can just get past that.  It’s not about the race, or the gender for that matter.  I think this election finally proved that.  We are ready.  I’m not saying it isn’t significant.  Of course it is.  And it’s about time.

But now, as a nation, it seems we are all coming around to supprt the man who will be leading us.  It makes sense.  Let’s just hope that the Senate and the House follow the people’s lead.  Lets forget some of the politics, the agendas and the parties and focus on doing what we need to do to make America better. 

We’re off to a good start.  We have momemtum.  We have hope, which for a long time now we’ve been lacking.  We are all pulling for the man with the almost unbearable task ahead of him.  The call for community, for service has been issued.  It will not be easy, and I fear, that if/when things don’t turn around as quickly as some people expect them to we will lose some momentum.  I hope not.  The situation we are in now was a long time in the making.  It will likely take a while to get back on track.  But as we move forward, working together we have our renewed faith in our nation and the words said many times over during this campaign and election- Yes, we can.  Yes, we will.  We simply have to.

Tomorrow is Election Day.  Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, you can not deny that this is a historic time in politics.  For the first time ever we will have either an African American President or a female Vice President.  “Times, they are a changing” and it’s good to know that our country is finally ready to vote for the team they feel is most qualified, regardless or race or gender.

One thing I will be happy about come tomorrow, is that the barrage of political automated phone calls will cease.  Am I the only one who finds it odd that when it comes to localized politics; folks running for state positions, that the automated message calls come from other states?   

Maryland, California and Louisianna, to name a few, are just some of the states that have shown up on my caller ID and are the states where the calls were initiated from.  All very fine states, and I’m all for interstate commerce, but when the political platform is state-based and talking about  bringing and keeping jobs in our state it strikes me as funny.  Not funny “Ha Ha” but funny “odd”.

Now to be fair, perhaps there are no automatic dialer type companies here in Illinois.  Our City here has just instituded an emergency automated call program and those calls are from out of state as well.  I’m just thinking that if you are running for office and are talking about keeping and bringing jobs in said state that perhaps the calls should come from the same state or at least show up as “Political Message” on the caller ID (as one of the messges did).

Again, I know we are the United States of America and I have NOTHING against ANY of our states, but having had my position eliminated to even more centralization as a result of our company being a division of a larger, nationwide company, I’m just sayin. 

Ok, enough said.  Now get your rest.  Tomorrow is a big day.  So many times, when discussing politics people inevitabley complain about who is in office.  Many of those same people did not vote in the Presidential election and therefore, in MY Opinion should not be able to complain.  We live in a country that is blessed to be a democracy.  Many brave folks have fought for our freedoms in wars past (and have fought for other agendas - agreed).  Make YOUR vote count.   Get out there and VOTE tomorrow.  The future is in OUR hands. 

I am now stepping off my soapbox, removing it and putting it away.  Peace out.