Reflecting on pride in working to get a President Obama....

[Skidmore]

I've pretty much logged on once or twice a day for the past several weeks since the election to read some but have refrained from posting much--just a sentence or two here and there. I've watched the tone of discourse become ugly, rivaling the worst of the primary scorched earth flaming. Some days I just looked at the titles and wondered if it this is what we worked so hard for during the election season--and the job of governance has yet to begin.

I watched Keith Olbermann's year end show a couple of nights ago, recalling all the ups and downs of the primary and the election and the immense pride at the achievement of successfully working to turn the red county I live in to true blue. That of the intense work of a core of dedicated people with whom we have formed fast and lasting friendships, we have helped foster a new sense of what it means to be an active citizen rather than pale and passive figures in the background of a canvas painted by spinmeisters and the empty corrupted suits they prop up.

This holiday season has given me time to reflect on the journey so many of us here at DU set out on following the 2000 election disaster, a moment fraught with deep anger and frustration at knowing we were all being played but feeling impotent to change the course of events. We came together time and time again over repeated assaults to our constitution, common sense, and dignity. Repeatedly we found some common ground, sometimes even with the freepers upon occasion. Now we are unable to do so? Now that we have leaders we worked to put in office, we are suddenly bereft of the capacity to work together? I don't think so. We must work together. We cannot afford to do otherwise.

I know what this election has meant to me--a chance to correct the course of the nation for all its citizens. A chance to change the tone and tenor of political discourse and to establish pragmatic priorities to rebuild its foundation. Gingerbreading a collapsing house makes no sense. And speaking of gingerbread prompts me to recall why this administration is one I will support wholeheartedly. My grandbabies have been with us for the past week. I'm loving it that even the littlest can identify our new President. I love it that the 20 month old stops whatever he is doing when Obama comes on the television and stands still, points, and soberly says "Mr. Obama." I love it that the six year old can sit and tell me how a bill becomes a law and the names of his senators, representative, and the difference between a caucus and a primary. I love it that he can tell me how voting machinery works and can describe a ballot. I love it that my shy 5 year old granddaughter can tell me that "Mr. Obama is our new president and he is a good man." That both are aware of the fact that we had a really bad administration and that there are many problems in the nation. I love it that the three year old wants Mr. Obama to come to her birthday party (she's a wiggly bundle of party waiting to happen, vibrates while sitting still kind of kid).

I remember why I worked so hard. For me, this election was about them and the chance to have a future. It was about a chance to correct a huge unjust disservice done the nation and the world. I'm proud to have worked hard and have been a part of this moment. I am at peace with having helped put forward a leader whom I believe will listen to all and will act judiciously for the entire nation. These good and decent men will continue to have my support as we work toward building our nation anew--and rebuild we must. For all the babies of the nation and world. Rebuild, we must.

[lamp_shade]

1. Bravo!!!

At a Party City before Christmas, a life-sized cardboard Obama was set up in a corner. A little girl who looked to be about 3 yelled at the top of her lungs "Mommie.. there's Obama" and she dropped whatever she was playing with and raced over to hug him. My heart swelled.

[Waiting For Everyman]

2. K&R You're so right, Skidmore.

A very good thing happened with that election, against all odds. That means other good things can happen too. It's time to get constructive.

[monmouth]

3. I do hope Skidmore, that you will enter the essay contest, one of the

many prizes to attend the inauguration. Your thoughts are always organized and spot on. Thank you for a wonderful post, rebuild we must, all of us.

[spartan61]

4. I know exactly how you feel because you expressed

so elequently how I feel. Yesterday I even bought the perfect tee shirt. It says, "I Helped to Make History" and it has the Obama logo. I am so proud to wear it.

[Clio the Leo]

5. And I appreciate your hard work! NT

[FrenchieCat]

6. Here's to your grandbabies, my children, all children, and Baby New Year!

And we also know that we will be catching up to toddler 21st century!
We are almost there!

[stillcool]

7. thanks for reminding me..

I forget about all the people I met at the rally I attended 30 minutes from my home. What a great experience that was. I forget about the phone calls to people about the necessity to vote this time, and why we all needed to get our friends to vote. I forget about sitting in our local Dem Headquarters, talking about our favorite on-line sites to get information, rather than relying on tv. I forget all the talk about 'we the people' taking responsibility in changing our world and our future. It was never about Obama, it was about 'us'.