The thing that makes me more calm are the statistics for voter turnout. This time America really did come out and speak their voice, with over 110 million votes and over 66% voter turnout. I believe in the democratic-republic system so geniusly prescribed by Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Washington, and the other founding fathers, and if that system elected Barack Obama in the end, then I believe as all of you do that we can only rally behind our new president in patriotism, supporting him where we agree and opposing him where we differ in ideals.
Something else I realized last night. I really can't complain about my life so far, most everything has been good. There are a few notable catastrophic events that took place such as the Gulf War, the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11, and Columbine, but overall the economies have always been good, there has never been a draft, and the information revolution occurred while I was still young, so I have been able to be a participant in practically the whole of it.
Interestingly, I was born during the Regan administration which totaled the first 5 years of my life. Then we had Bush senior, making 9 years of my life under a Republican president. Then we had Clinton for 8 years, and then Bush for another 8 years, totaling 17 of my 25 years under a Republican. With this in mind I am interested to see what 4 added years to the democrat side of the equation will bring. I will be 29 when the next election for president is held. What am I going to accomplish for myself, my family, and my country in those 4 years?
It will be interesting to see if other Americans are asking the same questions about themselves ("ask what you can do for your country") or if they will be asking what their new president and government will do for them ("ask what your country can do for you"). While I am excited to see that Americans on both sides became more involved this time, they have yet to prove that they will stand up and take action for themselves to improve their lives and their situation. I guess time will tell.
Tijs
Something else I realized last night. I really can't complain about my life so far, most everything has been good. There are a few notable catastrophic events that took place such as the Gulf War, the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11, and Columbine, but overall the economies have always been good, there has never been a draft, and the information revolution occurred while I was still young, so I have been able to be a participant in practically the whole of it.
Interestingly, I was born during the Regan administration which totaled the first 5 years of my life. Then we had Bush senior, making 9 years of my life under a Republican president. Then we had Clinton for 8 years, and then Bush for another 8 years, totaling 17 of my 25 years under a Republican. With this in mind I am interested to see what 4 added years to the democrat side of the equation will bring. I will be 29 when the next election for president is held. What am I going to accomplish for myself, my family, and my country in those 4 years?
It will be interesting to see if other Americans are asking the same questions about themselves ("ask what you can do for your country") or if they will be asking what their new president and government will do for them ("ask what your country can do for you"). While I am excited to see that Americans on both sides became more involved this time, they have yet to prove that they will stand up and take action for themselves to improve their lives and their situation. I guess time will tell.
Tijs
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Tijs Limburg
