I’ve never voted for a Democrat for anything in my entire life. I’ve always considered myself a Reagan Republican. I believe in lower taxes, smaller government, strong defense as an instrument of peace, and above all in the power of the individual to create their own success.
Yesterday I voted for Republicans for state offices and the US House. I voted a mostly conservative position on the state propositions. But for the first time yesterday, I voted for a Democrat for President of the United States.
I don’t agree with Barack Obama on a lot of his policy positions. I hope that he’s not too hasty to decrease our presence in hot zones in the middle east. I hope that he is methodical and cautious in his engagement with hostile regimes. I hope that his tax policies don’t disincent investment and job creation. I hope that he takes a moderate approach to health care reform rather than a complete overhaul. But I don’t think that policy is the solution to the ills that plague America right now.
In all walks of life, people perform at their highest potential when they believe and have faith in a better tomorrow. I voted for Barack Obama because I believe that he inspires this faith. I believe that what America needs most to drive towards a brighter future is a clear vision of hope in what we can accomplish. I don’t look at Barack Obama with the messianic awe and reverance that his most ardent supporters did, but I saw that awe and reverance in them and how he inspired disenfranchised Americans to stand up and be counted. And they did stand up in an historic show of faith and optimism.
I have mixed feelings on what an Obama presidency will do from a policy perspective. I don’t know if the programs he’s proposed will move us forward or backward and it’s a precarious time to risk moving backwards. But I want to believe that the power Barack Obama has is to inspire us as Americans to look forward with hope and optimism and through the collective strength of millions of empowered individuals to move America forward toward a brighter future. A future that we all view through a lens of belief in ourselves, and a renewed belief in America.
Now, more than any point in my lifetime, is not the time to wage an us vs. them battle between the right and the left, but it is a time to recognize that regardless of our religions, our races, and our political persuasions that we need to hold a common vision of the greatness of our country and work together to see that vision through.
There is a human side to this election that we haven’t seen for quite a while. In the past, we’ve argued about positions and policies and made our decisions as red states and blue. But what Barack Obama has done is changed that debate. His campaign and his message consistently focused on hope and empowerment. And while hope and empowerment alone are not enough to make positive change, positive change is impossible without them.
I want to leave you with a video that for me captures what this election is about. I don’t know Rahsheen, but I think he provides a powerful message about what this election means for America.
I voted for Barack Obama. I hope I was right.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Cheapsuits // Nov 5, 2008 at 4:10 pm
you hit the nail on the head for me. I hear your every word. I am an election judge in the chicago burbs, and although I don’t have a blog , I have considered making one to memorialize the first 90 minutes after we opened the polls. Your comment about the ‘human side’ really hit home. The people that camped out, voted for the first time in their 50 years of life,cried, held hands as a family all of these types of voters opened my eyes. Thank you for your post. You said what ultimately I feel and felt about my first Democratic Presidential vote I ever cast.
2 Phoebe // Nov 5, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Dear Ryan,
Thanks for sharing. You’re right; President-elect Obama has inspired a whole new generation of hope in people from all walks of life and from all around the world. During his acceptance speech I wept when he spoke of the 106-year-old voter who lived to see this day through the lens of one who was born one generation removed from slavery and into a world where she could not vote - first because she was a woman, and then because of the color of her skin. My parents did not live to see this day, but I held them very close from the moment I stepped into my polling place to watching the election results, because they helped to pave the way for this historic occasion.
Is President-elect Obama perfect? Of course not. Will he make mistakes? Very likely; he’s human, after all. But he is also intelligent, well-spoken, and steadfast. I believe Mr. Obama is going to do a fantastic job - not a perfect job - but a fantastic job as our next president.
But the main reason I’m responding to your essay is to thank you, and so many of my cyber friends who did NOT vote for Sen. Obama, for your willingness to reserve judgment and give our new president a chance to govern. I just want to acknowledge what a big deal I think that is.
I checked out a few right-wing blogs and forums last night to take a quick pulse. I was aghast at how rampant the hate was in some of those forums, like it had become a gloves-off, no-holds-barred slug fest. It made me sad for those people who are so scared and upset that they are unable to see what a momentous occasion this is for our country. I read a lot of fear, anger, and bitterness.
But there have also been many, many, MANY more kind, thoughtful, accepting voices; folks who, like you, don’t care for Obama’s politics, or, unlike you, who did not vote for him, but who are willing to accede to the will of the people and give the guy a chance. I think it’s big of you and a great testament to your character. It’s certainly way bigger than I would have been capable of if the shoe were on the other foot and we were facing the prospect of Sarah Palin as Vice President.
I don’t know if I’m effectively conveying the gratitude I feel today. Words can be so stifling sometimes. The bottom line is I am so proud of this country right now, because people like you and me, who come from such different places and perspectives, can still connect at a human level as living, breathing examples of the principles a bunch of long-dead white men held so dear, principles that are finally being realized in ways those men could never have even dreamed of, yet which have had a profound effect on the course of our nation, these United States of America.
So, thanks for contributing your voice of hope and reason when so many others are still caught in the empty promises of anger and despair. You give ME hope that we, as a nation, can move forward and get busy fixing what’s broken.
God bless,
Phoebe
3 Mom // Nov 5, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Ryan, you are an amazing young man. While you live your life to the right of center and I live mine to the left of center, we share the same feelings of hope with Barack Obama. You say that “Barack Obama has inspired us as Americans to look forward with hope and optimism and through the collective strength of millions of empowered individuals to move America forward toward a brighter future. A future that we all view through a lens of belief in ourselves, and a renewed belief in America.” I believe this will bring about a paradigm shift in America that will finally allow all Americans to believe what I believed growing up… that I could be anything that I wanted to become through hard work and dedication. This election for me was all about the future. Your words were beautifully written and well received. I cried watching Rasheen. Here’s to America!
Mom
4 Ryan Kuder // Nov 5, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Thanks, Mom.
5 John Hawbaker // Nov 5, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Hi Ryan,
I found myself making the same choice, from a similar perspective, last week when I voted (early). I also have concerns about some of Obama’s policies–heck, I voted for Ron Paul in the primaries–but I ultimately found a number of reasons why in this election, Barack Obama was the right choice for President. This is a truly inspiring moment in America’s history.
Thanks for sharing.
6 Mandy // Nov 5, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Amen, brother. Amen.
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