We are about to live in unprecedented times in America. In less than three months, we will have our first black President of the United States. To be perfectly honest, I am pleased with the way things turned out last night. Is Barack Obama perfect? No, ladies and gentlemen, he is not. Will he solve all of our problems in four short years (or even in eight)? My guess is, once again, a resounding no. Do I think he was the better choice? Most certainly.
For the record, I have not read Obama's book, nor paid extremely close attention to all of the debates and campaigning, so my opinion is less than scholarly. But I stand by my opinion. I think it's time for a President who inspires, one whom we cheer for and praise instead of worrying about how they might damage our country or which tabloid they will end up in. Is Barack Obama the right man for this job? Frankly, I have no idea, but I like to hope so. And that is what it comes down to for me... I would rather cast my ballot with someone who hopes than someone who attempts to instill fear.
I do not know how the next four years will play out. But I have hope in Obama, in our nation's ability to once again aspire to that idea of progress and looking forward to, and working toward a better tomorrow. Kennedy said in his speech at Rice in 1962 that we were choosing to go to the moon because it is hard, not because it is easy. My hope is that this President will have the audacity to do the hard things, to work to bring knowledge, peace and prosperity to this nation and to the world. In the words of Red, "I hope."
"If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them."
-Isaac Asimov