More on Obama...

I got to thinking about my previous blog I wrote today (read below) and realized that, although I feel all those things I said, it was pretty much the same feelings I'm sure many of you feel at this time. I guess I feel like I should be a little more candid about my real, individual feelings about the new administration.

Those of you who know me, know that I am a democrat and that I disliked the Bush Administration fiercly. But this isn't just about my dislike for what George W. and his administration was. Eight years ago when Bush took office, I was very disappointed as many fellow democrats were. I felt (as did Gore) robbed by the election. I felt like the American people were robbed. Then after we invaded Iraq and were lied to by the Bush administration for why we went into Iraq, I felt betrayed. Then after Bush was elected for a second term I felt like the American people were just plain stupid for giving this man a second chance! I felt like Bush used fear tactics to win the election over Kerry and falsely accused a true war hero of being less than what he was. For the next four years I felt like we, the American people, got what we deserved for electing this administration for a second term. I was jaded. I was not only disappointed in the American people, I was disappointed in our government. I believe many Americans felt let down by our government as evidenced by the fact that a good majority of incumbents lost their jobs. I never thought I'd feel so negatively about the country I love so much and the leaders of this country.

Watching the inauguration today, I must admit I got a little teary-eyed. After eight years of feeling betrayed and let down by our government and the American people, I feel hope. I feel optimistic about what we as Americans can accomplish. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a leading Republican Senator, said it best when he mentioned (I'm not quoting here) that maybe, just maybe, it will now become popular for politicians in Washington to work together to make things happen in Washington. President Obama in such a short time has already shown his ability to reach out to the members of the Republican party. He has shown his willingness to work together with them for a common purpose. And (by estimates) well over 2 million people showed up in Washington to celebrate this new hope we have in America. I believe that Graham and other politicians in Washington will have to take notice. They can't help but see that the American people want our leaders in Washington to solve our problems together and not work to discredit the other side of the aisle. Maybe, just maybe, the American people will reward them for doing their job rather than for the old politics of fear, hate, and negativity towards the other party.

Today, more so than at any other time in my life, I felt proud to be an American and hopeful that our government will begin to work FOR the American people and not for their own political interests. I felt like we really have a chance to be an example to the world of what you can do as a country if you all come together for the common good. That's something those terrorists who hope to bring us down will never be able to defeat. If we all, as a country, come together we can be an example to even those terrorists that wish us harm, that good conquers evil every time.