Thoughts

I've noticed some things over the past few months about how divided our country is around Democrat vs. Republican. The things I am seeing are scary and should be concerning to every American. People are so divided among party lines and just getting ugly about it. I posted a comment on Facebook about what I was doing a that moment, watching John Kerry debate the stimulus bill on the Senate floor, and got blasted by a guy I was friends with in grade school. His message was that Kerry was an idiot, he was a Republican, and Obama was worthless. There was no, hey how are you? What have you been up to the last 25-30 years? Kind of sad. I also heard from my daughter that one of the kids in her class told the class that Obama is going to make the go to school 6 days a week. I wonder where that kid heard that. I know I am probably just as guilty as the next person by letting my daughters here unkind words towards our last President. I was not a Bush supporter in the 2000 elections, but was supportive and respected the guy through 9/11 and up until we invaded Iraq for no reason. I still don't think he is a bad guy, but more of a poor CEO that surrounded himself with bad advisors. He believed his decisions were in the best interests of the country.

I am disgusted to hear comments about our new President sucking or being worthless. The guy inherited two wars, and the economic disaster and has only been in in office for 3 weeks. Let's judge after a term and people can vote on how he has done in 2012. You can't pre-judge based on his party affiliation. It's not that black and white.

Why can't we all just be Americans working to make our country better? Think about it?

Now This is Why I Voted for Obama!

'What I Want for You — and Every Child in America'

By President-elect Barack Obama

Publication Date: 01/18/2009

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me—about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.

I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential—schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college—even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.

Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country—but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free—that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.

Sasha (l) and Malia Obama at play in New Hampshire in 2007.

Bumper cars at the Iowa State Fair in August 2007.

That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.

She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better—and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.

I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much—although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.

These are the things I want for you—to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.

I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.


Love, Dad

10 Days Until Change...but Will It?

There are 10 days until Barack Obama is sworn in as our next President. Obama ran on the promise of change and given our country's situation we need plenty of it. I know Barack has every intention of making things better, but we are already seeing the politics of Washington rear its ugly head this week after Obama's stimulus plan speech on Thursday. Both side of the aisle were complaining about this or that. How can we put our trust in the hands of rich men and women that have no clue about what the American people are going through? Are they going to get laid off and lose their homes within a few months? Are they going to have to work the rest of their lives because their retirement accounts aren't worth jack? I think not...so how can they judge a plan and bicker over who gets what? Our Senators and Congressman are so out of touch it makes me sick.

Barack gets it...he has been one of us most of his life and understands having to struggle. I only hope his leadership can fix things in Washington so that we can get out of this mess. God bless President Obama and God bless the entire world.