This has been the most nerve-wracking, disturbing, emotionally
charged election I have ever experienced in my life. Waaaaayyyy back in 2008, I
can recall the media jumping the gun and being so self-congratulatory calling
President Obama’s first-term victory the beginning of a “post-racial America”.
Well, they couldn’t have been more wrong than that. This election campaign was
not only starkly racially divided; it was also impassioned and divisional on so
many incredibly polarizing issues. It was often sickening to hear, read and see
such animosity and distain between supporters of the two major parties and
smaller parties. These election years tend to bring out the best and the worst in
people, but it’s especially disturbing to notice that more and more people are
becoming quite comfortable with being beyond disrespectful publicly on any side
of the fence.
The real threats of being wrongfully denied the right to
vote, or to have to wait multiple hours in line to cast a ballot, or to be
afraid that your vote would not count in the United States of America is a
disgrace. The name-calling, mud-slinging swill fest has got to come to an end
now, especially for those who disrespect the President with such ease and
comfort.
In his concession speech, Mr. Mitt Romney took the high road
– a path that many people on both sides have strayed far away from a long time
ago. He was gracious, he acknowledged his genuine sense of disappointment and
gratefulness for his supporters, and wished his opponent well and encouraged
people to pray for the President, his family and our nation. As divided as the
nation is now, Romney’s concession speech – however short and, according to
reports, hastily put together – at least allowed him to march through it
quickly and be able to walk away with his head held high. (Even if it took him
over 90 minutes to admit his loss and, acknowledge that no matter how Karl Rove tried to
reinvent it, math is math.)
Obama’s victory speech rocked. It was not cocky; it was
personal, inspirational, impassioned and spoken with much hope, earnestness and
maturity. Take the time to read the full text of his speech, but moreover,
watch it. See how it resonates with you, no matter what your political affiliation or nationality.
Florida… my home state. The only “undeclared” state even
though the election has already been decided. (*Sigh*)
Facebook: Please stop asking me to “like” candidates, their
companies, and the news outlets that chose to endorse them. Actually, stop
instructing me to “like” anything. I never went for that kind of stuff in high
school, and I certainly don’t plan on starting now.
Now, for all of us (in one capacity or another), it’s time to get back to work.
©2012 CountryEuroCityMouse™. All rights reserved.
