A large number of people and pundits thought the election was sewn up (read rigged) from the start. "Americans love the Republican party." "They'll never elect a black man." Of course, much of that rhetoric stems from the 2000 debacle and the fact that we REELECTED Bush! They don't really understand, nor want to understand, all the myriad mechanism that underlie such events. They prefer the conspiracy theories that abound.
When they see such things as Schwarzenegger becoming governor of California, and you say, "See...an Austrian immigrant arrives in the US, becomes a blockbuster movie star--through hard work and dedication (they never believe that--it's always down to luck), marries into the Kennedy family, and becomes the REPUBLICAN governor of California!!!"
"Aw, he's a movie star...that's different, that doesn't count."
Well, to these let me say this, was he a movie star when he arrived in the US? How many other Mr Universe body-builders can you name since Schwarzenegger, let alone before? He was a body-builder, turned movie star, turned governor because in America anyone can still be all that they can be, if they put their minds to it and if they put their backs into it! The proof is today's election results!
But today practice has taken a large step in catching up with theory. And the world can watch and take a lesson because there are precious few places on God's green(ish) Earth where an outsider can rise so quickly to the legislature and to the nation's highest office. Seldom have I been prouder to be an American, and I am a fairly proud American.
My brother would argue that America has nothing to prove to the world, but I would counter that America has plenty to show the world. It can show the world what it can be when the USA is at its best, as it is today, and what the world should not be when it is at its worst! After all, we know that we are not perfect--though much of the world thinks--get this--that WE think that we are.
Now Mr Obama has a huge task ahead of placing our country back in its leadership position in rebuilding the economy, in pursuing clean energy alternatives and battling global "weirding" to quote Tom Friedman, and in promoting, freedom, human rights, democracy, peace and prosperity for ourselves and future generations. America has been off that track for some time or has been pursuing these aims in an often misguided, if not quixotic, manner. Godspeed to you Mr Obama, you carry our hopes and dreams on your shoulders.
Let me finish with a typical American salute:
Mr Obama, may God protect you and keep you from harm. May He give you the strength and courage and wisdom to face your challenges and the humility and grace to accept both your defeats and your victories. Above all else, God bless America, God bless this planet we call home!
Fernando
...my place where dreams are bought.
...my place where dreams are bought.
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