Having served in the Marines, I have always been proud to be an American. Always feeling very strongly about the values that started this nation, even if they sometimes appear to not be part of the more current administrations agenda. Today, that pride is heightened by the almost overwhelming perception that things will change; things will get better; there can be hope.
Over the last 8 years I have felt none of this really, President Bush has seen to that by beating the American I love into an empty hulk of what it once was. At the start of the running, I had every intention to not vote. I figured it wouldn't have a made a damn bit of difference. The politicians don't care, they enjoy being rich and in-power caring little about their constituents. I don't feel that way any more.
Congratulations belong with all Americans for our decision yesterday.
I find it ironic that I agree with John McCain more in defeat, than I have in five years:
"A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time," McCain told the upbeat crowd at the Arizona Biltmore in central Phoenix. "There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth."