The words I hear lately have a lot of fear in them. And the faces in my neighborhood are not so joyful. Wow I didn't think the world around me was so scared. Not just of Obama's race but of his redistribution of their personal wealth. Since we are now indebted into the trillions, perhaps we should see that our nations wealth is already plundered? And as for the draconian tax implications so many fear in this brave new world under our "Marxist" leader, it remains to be seen.
Are you scared or elated? Do you believe we will do better on the international scene with our new leader? Does even that aspect make you feel hope? Can you get behind someone you didn't elect? Could his words sway you? His actions? Do you think he will give handouts to people like this or can you trust that he'll make it a hand up? Is that what you are so mad about? Will you give him a chance like some of my friends in your camp?
16 comments:
Do you mean to tell me that he's NOT paying for my gas? Oh. ;-)
Kudos to your friend for putting it out there. She made some great points. I feel bad she is getting bashed for taking the high road
Lots and lots of hope. I think we can stand a bit taller in the world, having elected a leader like Obama. I'm looking forward to four years of actually enjoying listening to presidential speeches, rather than cringing over them. :)
I have heard a lot of worry about the possibility of assassination attempts due to race. Makes me sad, but I trust that the secret service will be on the alert...
I'm proud of our country.
Josie
It is sweet how naive you seem about the whole thing. How deep could he plunder in your own personal finances before it changed your perception of 'redistribution of wealth'? Are you willing to give up your big house, your trips all over the globe, your children's private school, etc etc etc, in order to 'redistribute the wealth'?
WHOA!! WTH all the lashing out about??? Last time I checked we lived in AMERICA -- which means we have the right to express our voice
think of the fabulous education she is giving her children by taking them places most never get to see
I respect every president regardless of political affiliation. It is a thankless, difficult job. I believe those that are unhappy about Obama's election are not any worse than the many that bashed Bush during his terms in office. I am neither scared nor elated. I am willing to see how it goes, but I am not thrilled with his first appointment of Emanuel as his chief of staff. Known as an 'attack dog' of a liberal, he is not the type to foster unification of the parties. In fact, in the past he said that 'Republicans can 'f' themselves'. I hope for better than this line of thinking. He was also on the board of Freddie Mac and made millions as an investment banker....question marks abound. I think most Americans are centrist and hope for the same things for this country. My wish is that Obama, who was elected by those who believed his desire to bring people together, will honor that promise and not stray to the far left now that he has the power to do so.
I think Steph was asking for opinions in order to increase understanding of everyone's positions. I don't see how that merits a personal attack.
I realize that I live in a tiny blue bubble in this state, but most of the people I've talked to who were not Obama fans seem ready to get behind our new president, even though they wish their guy had won. The knee-jerk protests seem shallow and thoughtless. Like Sarah Palin herself said, "This is politics. You have to have thick skin, like I do."
Lash out comment needs a laxative.
I have always pulled for the person in the job. Even Jimmy Carter. And it has irked me for decades the way the press and the opposition treats the person who is elected.
We'll see how the Republicans respond. And we'll see if they disrespect Pres. Elect Obama like Emmanuel, Durbin, Waters, Kennedy, Biden, Pelosi, Reid, Feinstein, and others dissed W.
We'll also see how long a honeymoon the muck rakers in the press give to BHO.
John McCain was never my guy and I simply could not support him. But I wudda had he been elected as I will the other guy :-)
You got a lot of anonymous comments from this post. Hmmm, interesting. Not sure if people are uncomfortable talking about this, but I just wanted to add that it seems like people around here are walking taller, optimistic about our future (pretty impressive given current economic conditions) and excited about what's to come. I recognize that I live in a blue state and it's probably pretty different in Houston, but I'm not hearing the kind of fear from people that you are. In general, it seems like the people I know that voted for McCain are disappointed that he didn't win, but don't think the world's coming to an end because of it.
I think the redistribution of wealth comment and trying to brand Obama as a socialist was blown out of proportion the last few weeks of the campaign. Both candidates supported the bailout plan. Isn't using billions of taxpayer dollars to buy out corporations a redistribution of wealth? Isn't the purchase of banks by the government in fact socializing our financial institutions? I didn't hear that point brought up nearly as much as I heard Governor Palin say, "Now is not the time to experiment with socialism," but we already were.
To comment on Eric's post, I think a lot of people had a hard time getting behind President Bush when he was elected for his first term because that election came down to a decision by the Supreme Court and not necessarily the country's (in particular Florida's) votes. This feels very different. Obama won 349 electoral college votes and, while that number is not a blow out, it's clear winner. The last two elections have been much closer and left a lot of people feeling like we were a country divided into red states and blue states. There will always be people who are not happy with the outcome of an election and Obama's got a lot to prove in the coming months, but I think he's in a better position to bring the country together than McCain was.
Well said Lindsey.
Figures that the negative comments (both here and on the blog you linked to) are unsigned. Why is it that folks can't live by the "if you can't say anything nice" adage when it's online and anonymous?
I think politics is often an ugly arena, a lot of mud gets slung, and then it's hard to clean it all off after the decision is made. There are always going to be those folks who won't line up behind the victor, because they just can't let go. That doesn't make ugly nasty comments about eachother OK though...
Josie
I really enjoy reading your friends blog. I found your blog through hers. I initially found Kristi's through a link when they did a piece on CNN. Its funny we are all six degrees.....
You both seem like logical Mothers, devoted wives with beautiful families.
I hate all the mud slinging. Obama won fair and square. Unlike the race four years ago where there was a black cloud left thanks to those hanging Chads
You all make great points. I just hope things settle down soon. I was very impressed how Obama has taken the wheel and started appointing his staff.
I think this is going to take a turn a lot better than we think
Love your blog, keep up the great work! Really enjoyed your photos - gorgeous family!
Well, I am one of the few Republicans in Boston. My Dad could have been Ronald Reagan, hence my name. People are really split around here. Some are so frightened about the taxes and the ominous back-of-your-mind-assignation (we live two blocks away from the JFK Library and it all seems so similar..young, first in race(JFK being 1st Cathlolic), and party that hadn't been in for a long time) but then there are the absolutely elated people that seem newly freed from prison!
Personally I am thankful and confident that we do look better internationally than we have for a long time and I am happy with that. I like that there is a change from the program that has been proven disasterous in the last 4+ years. Am I afraid of the taxes and just the fact that he is a liberal? Yes, but I am ready to stand behind him, let him have a chance and open my mind a bit now. I think that this a going to be a bigger change than we all expect but the troubles that we have demand it so I am ready.
I was lucky to have been raised and really profit from the 80's as my parents made it huge then. We were blessed with all that came with it. Does this economic fiasco come with it at the end? Maybe. Is this how we are paying for the 80's and 90's? Maybe. Either way and who is to blame doens't matter more than the fact that we need to do something about it.
When watching the programs on Election night I couldn't tell you how proud of America I was. John McCain couldn't have been more professional, humble and thoughtful...was so impressed. Obama, the masses of all races coming together in certain cities to witness it all, the media, his girls, my kids in bed fast asleep...the announcement and Barack walking out alone as our newly elected President was so exciting! You couldn't help know that this moment in time was huge no matter how you voted. You knew how far we have come racially. You knew the world was watching us. My eyes watered for all that came before him, for him, for my kids' future and for the pure feeling of change.
Change is scary. Change is exciting. Change is always inevitable. I hope we are ready.
Regan
Oh, I love your blog! Found it through Kristi's (there sure are some angries over there). I am now so addicted to your blog that I'm actually LISTENING to a movie playing on my laptop, because I can't tear myself away from here to watch the movie. I always wanted a red-head, but didn't get one, so I'll admire yours instead. Your blog is like great hot chocolate on a snowy night. (It snows here in Tulsa)
Oh Steph, I think the first video demonstrated someone out of touch with what Obama stands for but most people get it that internationally he will be good for the US. What impressed me most about Obama was that he thinks about things and doesn't rush. I doubt he would do anything that would be unrealistic to maintain. Yes it will hurt some but then there is no solution that will make everybody happy. I'd rather have us take care of some that really need it and have the international community more receptive to United States. I feel very hopeful now.
Steph,
My name is Elaine and I am from BlogHer network. Sorry to be in touch in such an informal way but we found your site through www.occasionallyfunny.blogspot.com
Kristi is one of our top sites for traffic. We noticed your site (via hers) and really enjoyed it as well. We hope you would consider joining our network.
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