Once A Great Notion

Here is a little gem that a lot of people in this great country never stop to think about.  America was a notion, democracy had never been tried before, we were the first.  At least that is the way I remember it, if I am wrong, I will gladly stand corrected.  Take a shot at it, do you feel lucky, do you?

America was an “idea” and now some two hundred plus years, that idea is being tested to the last dime.

Sonny Bono is one of my hero’s in life.  Why?  Because Sonny was up and down, and he always came back  fighting.  Whatever Sonny needed to do in life, he did it.  If it took re-inventing himself, often, over and over, then Sonny brought the bacon home, time and time again.  Whatever it took, he was prepared to do it.  Now strangely, as a nation, we seem to find ourselves in the same circumstances.

We are standing on the precipice, a new threshold in politics and social norms.  We are poised to enter a totally new era, and for many, a sense of that new era arrived this week.  This is the only place in the world that this could have happened.  The day was a long time coming, and when Wednesday finally arrived, a lot of people could not believe their eyes.  They had a Black America Elect for their next president.

Who would have ever thought in their wildest dreams we would have a “Hawaiian” for president?

Martin Luther Kings’ Dream has come to pass and I am sure a lot of black people feel like they are living it right now.  The really good thing, the thing that put the lump in my throat was suddenly, a nation facing wars on two fronts, a sinking economy, a warming planet not fit for man nor beast, a rotten health care system, significant energy needs, was again, optimistic and upbeat.

Mr. Obama ran a brilliant campaign and like it or not, energized the masses.

I was 99% sure he would pull it off, and 100% sure I didn’t want John McCain, so my vote was locked down early.  Unfortunately my wife voted the other way and she cancelled our vote out.  But I have taken care of that …….. She is off the Christmas List and possibly for the next four years … I will let you know.  I will email all of you from the “dog house” in the backyard.

It has often been said “that politicians will use every trick in the book” when it comes to getting elected.  Mr. Obama masterfully used the news media, the internet, text messaging, blogs and U-Tube video sharing to raise massive amounts of money.  He also brought into the arena, millions of voters to process and spread his message of change.

Moments before delivering his victory speech, Barack Obama sent email and text messages to millions of his supporters with an electronic thank-you note.  Like no other presidential candidate has ever done, Obama touched the people of this country by the use of high tech tools of a modern day America.

Winners talk and losers walk … “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our fathers is alive in our time, who still questions our democracy, tonight is your answer.” Hey.  I am sold, bring it on.

As I sat in my TV Room and watched it all unfold on my built in Japan, Sony Color-tron, widescreen television munching on a bag of chips made in Canada I found myself glued to the results.  The 44th president of the United States of America was going to be a black man.  Just like Jesse Jackson (and believe me, I am NO FAN of Jesse Jackson) I felt a lump and the emotion start to rise.

It’s about time I thought.

When I first came home from the service and went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad I was shocked to find “Colored Waiting Rooms” and “Colored Drinking Fountains” in numerous trains stations.  It was to me, absolutely revolting and I could not believe that this was still allowed in the country I lived in.

Not after the Civil Rights Act of the Sixties.

So when they announced my next president would be Mr. Obama, like I said, I forgot about the wars, job layoffs, outrageous grocery prices, high gas, none of that seemed to matter.

Instead I thought about what a great time it is to be living in America and how exciting it is to see history being made in my lifetime.  I cannot fathom how a black man would have been looking at it, which I must say is beyond my comprehension at this time.

The Honeymoon is going to be short and sweet, and Obama has to get ready for one of the most pressing transitions in modern history.  As he won over anxious voters with his calm reserve on economic issues, he must now also make quick decisions that will affect this country (economy and business) and consumers for years.  This president will go into office with more expectations of any president in recent history.

Now I know that a lot of you are going to be quick to point out that I have for a long time referred to Obama as “Obammer” and have not given him a lot of respect.  That was then … this is now.  I say give the guy a chance, it is his time in the sun, let him bask in it, and if he extends a hand grab it and help him up if he needs it.  One thing people and in this country should remember:  “Never forget the hand that helps you up … Or the boot that shows you the door.”

I am sick of items like I read today … “If Barack Obama wants to show he meant what he said about bridging the blue state-red state divide, there’s an easy way to do it.  Ask the best of President Bush’s appointees to stay on and adopt some of Sen. John McCain’s better ideas.”

In my part of the country, we have an expression.  There are two ways you can buy oats.  You can buy them before they have been run through the horse or after.  The above quote is definitely …. After.

Why don’t all of you “sore losers” shaddup and let the peoples’ choice get about their business. From this point on, you are kicking the wrong dog, and we are all tired of hearing about it.

As I have rambled far too long, it is now time to let you go, those of you who hung in there to the end.  I need to find Cup Cake and ask her about that dress Michelle was wearing.  I mean “What’s up with that?”  But then again, what do I know?

I am just another stupid dirty-yellow-dog-Democrat.

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