Hope

I once read that all young people are inherently democratic, and as you age you become more republican. I feel this is for several reasons, such as when you are young you believe in being more liberal with your daily choices, and as you age you become more conservative with your decisions - characteristics that bleed over into defining yourself as a liberal or conservative. I've had cynical conservatives tell me that only proves that democrats resemble teenagers and republicans take on a more "wise old man" persona.

For the sake of argument, I'll skip all of the "what is a democrat" and "what is a republican" debate. I bring this up only because as a person under 30 I seem to have a large number of friends - also under 30 - that lean very hard to the right. For the last 8 years, especially the last 2-4, I have endured my fair share of attacks for my inability to support Bush on a daily basis. I've been given many reasons for why I am nothing but a crazy liberal, and once even accused of thinking the whole world can really dream of sugarplums and unicorns (tequila may have been involved in that particular exchange). However the argument I heard the most - and the one that sticks out the most in my mind today - was undeniably "because he's our president." Simple as that. He's our commander-in-chief, leader of the free world, and was elected by the majority (twice I'm often reminded); therefore the man deserves my daily support. I do not believe they were telling me to follow blindly - just to think differently ;-)

That said, as the first 48 hours of Barack Obama's victory begins to sunset, I find myself saying something similar. The excitement for many is beginning to fade, and the reality of January 20th is setting in. Almost as if cued yesterday morning, my conservative friends began the deluge of doubt and daggers. All have firmly held their beliefs since the beginning of this long race, which all boiled down to "a Democrat couldn't run this country." This of course is how we are labeled dem and rep, believing that our guy can do the job and the other guy can't. At the risk of the attacks I know will be aimed at my head, I have to point out that only in hindsight does history have 20/20 vision, which leads me to my source of frustration.

In 2000, and even in 2004, I was expected to get behind the man that the country had decided was best for the job at hand. In 2000, I decided to do just that - give the man what every person deserves: my hope. My hope that at the end of his term, I would look back and think that the country was better for having him at its helm. I hear a lot of people saying that he will be viewed in a postive light by history, but given the current economic, diplomatic, etc situation we're currently drowning in I have to remain at the very best skeptical. Today - there is nothing positive I can say about the man, other than his dog is my hero today.

My feelings, admittedly all negative, come after 8 years of constant disappointment by a man I had put my trust into. As I've mentioned, I was consistently criticized by my conservative friends for such feelings. Yet not even 48-hours after the results were announced, the same people are bashing a man who has, by their own descriptions, yet to be tested. To me, that's like saying someone is a dog-beater just by looking at his resume. At the very best, it's hypocritical. From that point it gets worse. Their own hero, John McCain, said in his highly-praised concession speech to get behind the man who would now be our leader. I do agree McCain's speech was inspiring - but how is his inspiring speech any better than what conservatives have accused Obama of doing? Many say Obama is just full of hot-air laced with flowers and cupcakes, and that he is a eloquent speaker who never says anything substantial - only inspiring. Let's say McCain's speech was somehow different - why are you unwilling to follow his lead now, as he puts his faith where it belongs, behind the next President of the United States, yet 3 days ago you were telling me how I should follow McCain everywhere?

To all conservatives out there - I do not, repeat, do not believe you need to change your views on what you believe is best for this country. I believe that by you having your views, and me having my views, together we create the greatest country on earth. I even think it's ok for you to have some reservations about the future - I think if Jesus himself was elected on Tuesday we still should have had some reservations. Scary does not even begin to describe the muck we are wading through right now. And I do not believe that with a click of Obama's ruby red slippers the great US of A will go back to its former glory. I do not believe that the man will be anything but human - which includes the high probability of at least one large mistake. I will be very angry with him when that mistake happens, as will the entire populous affected by said mistake.

But today, the only thing the man deserves is hope. Partially because he is your next president, and partially because he is an American living through this huge stack of crisises we've found ourselves buried under.

Hope that at the end of his term, the country will be better for having him at his helm.

Of course there is the potential that it won't be. I think the approval rating of Bush Jr. is enough proof of that possibility. But until that day, the day in which hindsight can take effect and we can finally see the full effect of Tuesday's results, hope that it could get better - with the right direction, focus and efforts - is really not too much to ask, is it?