November 5th

The election of 2008 may be over, but the campaigning does not seem to have found its end just yet.  And so, the nasty exchanges between McCain and Obama supporters continue to flare despite the fact that the decision has been made.  And for what else, other than to drag out an already excruciatingly long election for absolutely no purpose?  No amount of debate, no amount of argument, and no amount of opinion will change the outcome of yesterday's election nor will the election duplicate itself onto another day so that it can occur again.

I have no intentions of sharing, with anyone, who I voted for yesterday.  I am confident in my vote, but quite frankly, I don't want to be caught in anymore political rhetoric than I already have been.  I don't want to listen to someone tell me how awesome the candidate that we both chose is, because I don't think either of the candidates yesterday were all that awesome.  Nor do I want to listen to how much of "an idiot" I am for not voting the way that someone else did.  And thus, I am exercising my right to not share who I voted for.

I am greatly lacking in enthusiasm for our new President-Elect.  Although, had the votes gone in the other direction, I would have been just as unenthusiastic.  What can I say?  This election took it all out of me, I have no more stamina, no more steam, nothing else to give, no more energy to care.  And while I continue to remain unenthusiastic, I have a lot more optimism and hope than I thought I would.  And not because of our President-Elect, but because I think the American people are so tired of what's going on in our country that we've finally reached a point to where we'll pursue change actively, and not just advertise change on bumper stickers.

With that, I'll also say that John McCain was probably the safe bet, his policies were so familiar that he couldn't have really hurt us any more than we're already hurting.  The amount of positive impact he could have made, while still existent, is probably a lot more limited than the amount of positive impact that Obama can make.  Obama's policies are extraordinarily different than those of Bush or McCain and thus the chance to screw us up even more than we already are is strong, stronger than McCain's, but you can never succeed greatly if you don't accept the risk of failing greatly.  But I'm hopeful for great success.  Not because of Obama, but because I know people are tired.

But regardless of how I voted yesterday, as a part of the total force of the United States Air Force, I am now, and will be for at least the next four years, an Obama supporter.  Welcome to the team Commander-in-Chief.  *Yes we can.*

Ultimately, I hope you all went and voted yesterday, even if your candidate didn't win, and even if you voted for Ron Paul.  If you didn't vote, I hope you realize that you basically just gave up your right to an opinion for the next 4 years.

With that, I leave you with this letter that I read on one of my feeds yesterday, it pretty accurately reflected my thought process on the election as well as my feelings towards both of the candidates.

A Letter to Our New President

Posted on November 4, 2008
Filed Under Deeper Walk, Relationships |

Dear President-elect,

Senators McCain and Obama, by this time tomorrow, one of you should be (barring some repeat nightmare from 2000, God forbid) our new leader. The mass chain emails and numerous recorded phone calls we’ve received tell us this is the most important election in my lifetime. Of course, I think I’ve heard this every were neighbors (and I’d certainly enjoy grilling out with both of you if we were neighbors - let’s see if we can make that happen after all the hullabaloo dies down). election in my lifetime, but I will not argue that this is indeed an pivotal moment in our national life. Contrary to the shrill cries and the numerous blog posts and the vast amounts of literature filling my mailbox and the many youtube videos currently jamming my feeds on facebook, I think both of you are good, decent men who want to serve your country. You have different visions of America in several important places, but I do not question your motives or your integrity. I don’t question your character. I even have this sneaking suspicion you guys would enjoy grilling out together if you

Senator McCain, I am thankful for your long history of acting on your principles, on doing what you say. I admire your courage and your willingness to give yourself to causes you believe in, even when it costs you dearly. I am thankful that you your history has been to call America to its best ideals. Senator, if you are elected today, please speak out strongly against those who have peddled fear and untruths in their opposition to your opponent, even if you do not believe they spoke for you. There has been a venom in this campaign that scars our ability to live together as a people - please speak and act against hatred and dishonesty wherever it raises its ugly head, even (perhaps especially) when the net result is that it helps your cause. Truly, the ends never justify the means. Also, please think deeply about issues of health care and poverty, recognizing the moral dimension to these difficult problems. Please pull in the best minds, the smartest advisers. Please pull in people from all persuasions and parties to find common ground and truly tackle these blights in our country. And please, please wrestle deeply with the moral implications of war. Consider if perhaps there is a new way to look at these very old issues of how to deal with nations who have evil intent. I pray God will give you wisdom as you lead us.

Senator Obama, I am thankful for how you seem to draw the best out of so many people. I am thankful for the hope I have seen among people who for a very long time have felt alienated from the system. I am thankful for how you wrestle with tough issues and how you resist the quick and easy answer to what we must know are often very complex problems. I love how you love your family - that may be my favorite thing about you. Senator, if you are elected today, please reconsider your stance on abortion. I do understand that people of conscience and faith can have varying views on this, and I do understand that confronting some of the root causes of abortion may perhaps have more long term impact than only legal solutions. However, please took a new look at some of the most extreme issues at play. Surely we can agree that a baby born and breathing ought be protected, no matter the parent’s intent. I know you care for the weak and defenseless. Please understand how many of us see these children as the most weak and defenseless - this is an issue of justice. Also, please hear those who have differing economic and justice philosophies - and know that there is often agreement on the hope for the common good, but simply disagreement on how to achieve that common good. As you work for a way out in Iraq, please make sure that the innocent civilians are protected and do not pay an even higher price for our mistakes - and please work hard so we do not leave behind a breeding ground for terror. And please resist the extremes in your party who like to demonize the opposition, no matter whether you think they speak for you or not. You are the party’s leader, and we need our leaders to lead. You have spoke often of a third way. Now, please forge that path. I pray God will give you wisdom as you lead us.

Senators Obama and McCain, I don’t envy your job, whatever job you end up with tomorrow. I can’t imagine the weariness you feel or the energy you have exerted the past two years. For whichever of you end up a resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I pray that you listen to good advisers and follow your best instincts. I pray you resist the allure of power and the temptations and cynicism that seem to plague the political inner sanctum. I pray that you lead us forward with a fresh vision, with moral clarity and with a strong hope for the common good of our whole nation, all our citizens. And I hope you won’t be offended if I tell you that, even with all the good I hope you do over the next four years, my ultimate hope is another King and another kingdom.

grace and godspeed,

Winn