I went to bed last night with a very heavy heart. It was apparent that Barack Obama would retain the presidency and that Mitt Romney would be relegated to election history. I woke up this morning to the news confirming what I already knew, and to a flurry of sad, despairing, and indignant posts on Facebook as friends took to the web in an attempt to verbalize their feelings over what seems like one big mistake by the American populace.
But, this post is not so much about my fears for the future as it is for my hopeful, glass-is-half-full side. If you haven't already read my previous posts regarding my fear surrounding Obama's multitude of bad policies, feel free to browse through my past posts. If you want a pretty accurate summary of my fears for the future, read my friend Mary's post at Let Love be Sincere. In the meantime, I just want to share a few thoughts on how I HOPE the next four years will go.
As a starting point, I want to point out that the past four years have seen an increasing political rift between individuals from different parties. I know that I have been a perpetrator of political polarization often enough on my own, mostly in reaction to policies mandated by the current administration. Regardless of all the lofty talk in the 2008 election, Mr. Obama has failed in his promise to bring a post-partisan, post-racial era to our country. I think that this should be a wake-up call to people on both sides of the political spectrum that the change starts with US. Why should anyone wait to change their attitude until the president they dislike is booted from office, or the man they want elected is voted into office, or until the incumbent is guaranteed four more years?
I love my country. I always have. What I love about it transcends my disagreements with my fellow citizens. And in turn, I hope that my fellow Americans feel the same way. I truly believe that what unites us is stronger than what divides us, and I'll explain:
I believe that both liberals and conservatives can agree that religious freedom should be respected. Whether you are Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran, Muslim, athiest, or none of the above, we should be allowed to practice religion as our faith dictates; it is not up to the state to dictate how we live our faith.
I believe that both conservatives and liberals are concerned with the financial future of our country. We often differ in our attitudes towards spending, taxing, wealth, etc...but we do not often differ in the fact that a) our children do not deserve the financial pit that awaits them with our current financial deficit, and b) we want to help the less fortunate of our country. The real question is: how do we agree to work together and solve the problems that we face? How do we eliminate the wasteful spending, allow individuals to make decisions about their own money, and reign in the debt so that our kids and grandkids won't have to go hungry so they can pay their taxes?
I believe that most Americans, whether liberal or conservative or somewhere else on the spectrum, agree that our healthcare system is very flawed in regulation, legislation, and insurance. We agree that we have the best healthcare delivery system in the world, but a combination of special interests, government-regulated pricing (Medicare price fixing IS a big problem), bad legislation that is counter-productive, etc is preventing us from truly offering good, affordable healthcare for all Americans. This isn't a Republican or Democrat issue, this is a human issue. We all loved Mother Teresa because she gave care and comfort to the poorest of the poor. If we could get past the political shouting, couldn't we come to a (lawyer-, accountant-, bureaucrat-free) solution to our healthcare problems and make sure that people get the healthcare that they need?
Finally, I believe that Americans from both sides of the aisle agree that we are a country built on freedom. It's time we remember that. We're too caught up on shouting why "I'm right and you're wrong", and we forget that sometimes the solution is not to push our political agenda but to allow freedom and personal responsibility to reign. Conservatives want to prove that liberals all want free contraception, free cell phones, free EVERYTHING. Democrats want to prove that Republicans are trying to outlaw contraceptives, take away Grandma's healthcare, take away EVERYTHING. If we thought for a moment, couldn't we come to the agreement that some women want contraceptives, and that's a choice they have to make and support on their own. Can't we agree that if I don't want to pay for your elective medications I shouldn't have to? There's no need to outlaw it, and there's no need to provide it for free. How about the fact that healthcare is crucial for all Americans and with REAL reform we really can help the elderly and those in need? No need to make it free and no need to punish people who can't afford to buy it, or maybe don't want to? Heck, I can only imagine that if we all just quieted our hearts for a moment over the Obamaphone craziness, we could find some common ground in that cellphones are a great way to provide a safety net for the less fortunate. Can't we agree that programs to give used cell phones to the poor, homeless, and underprivileged to use for emergencies is a good thing? We don't have to give them a data plan and a smart phone, but we don't have to ignore the value of communication either.
I guess what I'm getting at is that as much as I'm disappointed in Obama's reelection, it's not the end. It really should be the beginning for many of us to rise above our disappointment and create change for the better without waiting for our political savior. We need to stop the shrill partisan shouting, from both sides of the aisle. I have little hope that our political system will move much in the next four years, as we currently have no change in the executive or legislative balance of power. But our elected officials work for us. WE are the meaning of this country, not them. We will never agree on everything, but that's OK. We are American. America is a beautiful land of freedom, liberty, justice...and hopefully love somewhere in our hearts. Let's not forget that.
