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What can I say? My dad's a writer. When he's frustrated, he writes. My Dad sent just me an email earlier which I posted. Then he sent this email to myself and my step-sister. Both of us are die-hard Democrats and the three of us e-mailed each other frequently during the campaign with words of support.
I found these words so comforting, and they apply to you guys as well, I think. These words are from a 65 year old man who was hurt by Bush's economic policies and is struggling to stay on his feet. He's been a lifelong Democrat. My first political memories were my dad's fury at Reagan's winning the 1980 election against Carter. Dad's not been a "Reagan Democrat" or any other type of middle-ground, he's been a dyed-in-the-wool true blue Democrat from day one.
And he was born in Virginia and lived in Georgia for most of our lives together. So you can imagine his frustration.
When your ideals get bruised, it sure does hurt. After the events of yesterday my ideals were bruised.
I have always been so passionate about wanting the best for all of those I love so dearly and that includes a country and world that they can live in that is full of compassion. I have spent a lot of time fighting for those goals.
When there is a great deal of hurt, I tend to look for rational ways to ease the pain. Anger is one of those ways. My first reactions today were ones of anger.
I know that for nearly 230 years we have lived in a country that has had its share of winners who have been scoundrels, cheats, liars, and thieves. The losers in each of those instances surely felt what we feel now. Somehow, they managed to come away from the experience wiser and stronger. That's what we will do.
I cannot tell you how very proud each of you has made me over the past several months because of your want to be a part of the political process that has made us great.
It is very important that you remember that there is no one who loves their country more than you. There is no one who wants to see it survive and flourish more than you. And there is no one who will stand up for each person's rights to express themselves more than you. Even if that expression is against everything you believe. That is the secret to our success.
It is hard being Liberal. Liberals care for everyone else. It's pretty easy to be a Conservative. Conservatives care mostly about themselves. Most people will take the course of least resistance. You are different. For that difference I salute you. Both of you are very special.
What can I do tomorrow to never experience this hurt again? That's what I am going to ask myself each day. What can I do that will help expose my ideals to others? What can I do to make my country great?
The first thing I will do is be the Loyal Opposition. And I will be it with fervor. I will fill that capacity each day. Can I change things? Don't know. Just know that I didn't do a good enough job last time. This time it will be different.
I miss both of you very much and wish that I could hug away the hurt. I can't, but you can overcome it. You will because you both are of such great value to our future.
I love you…………….
Dad
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