Thoughts of the Election...

Hey everyone...my mom sent out an email earlier today and said I could post it...I agree with it 200% or more. I don't know who all will read this but here it is...

Quoting email...

Hi all! This is not a joke email, but rather something that has been bothering me that I wanted to share with you all.

Its been two days since our nation history changed forever. And although 48% of the American voters felt differently, the nature of democracy is that the one who gets the most votes wins. Its a chance both candidates took. Although I personally did not vote for President Elect Obama, the fact remains that he will become the President of the United States in 75 days. For far too long we have been a nation divided. The wars, the economy, the possible solutions - there are distinct differences in how we all feel about the major issues facing this nation.

For quite some time I have quietly watched while this country has disparaged our existing President. The job of President encompasses a great deal of responsibility, and when I was growing up, it commanded a great respect. This respect has been eroded over the past 20 years. No one would have dreamed of releasing a "biopic" of Ronald Reagan when he was still occupying the White House, yet just a short time ago the movie "W" was released. I found this extraordinarily offensive, and extremely disrespectful. Like him or not, agree with him or not, George W. Bush IS the sitting President of the United States of America. This disrespect must end. We as a nation must stop being so concerned about being a White American, African American, Mexican American, Republican American, Democratic American, Independent American, etc. We must instead focus our energies on being good AMERICANS.

With this in mind, we must return the respect to the office of the Presidency. We, all of us, inherently have the right to disagree with our elected officials - that's why we have elections, to make our desires known. But along with that right, we as Americans have a responsibility to support our leaders. 148 years ago, the presidential election started a snowball that resulted in the Civil War. Eight years ago, "hanging chads" and court cases demeaned an election that is still fodder for the late night comics. We have, as a nation, endured eight years of jokes about our President, and have watched our great nation go from a respected world leader to a laughingstock in many circles. Prior to that, we watched as President Bill Clinton tarnished the office with various scandals and a seeming lack of respect for the privilege of serving his nation. Let us stop this now. 48% of us must be convinced that President Elect Obama will point this nation in the right direction. We must not impede his efforts by this continuing disrespect. We must, as a nation, use the tools at our disposal to clean up this train wreck and rebuild. We must, as a nation, work to regain the respect that has been lost world wide.

I received many many emails that we should pray for the election of John McCain. I implore you now - we must pray for the restoration of our great nation. We must pray for the wisdom of our leaders. We must also realize that they are men, not robots, and as such are subject to mistakes. As many of you know, I am a veteran of the United States Navy. As such, I am proud of the service I gave my country. More than anything, I want my country to go forth in a positive direction. In the presidential election of 1860, the candidates did not campaign, as it was "beneath the dignity of the office". That dignity that our forefathers fought and died to protect is now tarnished and torn. Let us strive to return that dignity. Let us stick to the Biblical creed of "Do Unto Others". Let us, as American citizens, one by one restore the pride our parents and grandparents and great grandparents had in this nation.

Most of all, let us take the example of Senator John McCain to heart. He was gracious Tuesday evening, and vowed to work with the new administration for the good of this country. Let us all vow to do all in our power to make the statement "I'm proud to be an American" a statement of fact, not an anecdote in a history book.

I'm off my soapbox now. I'm sorry if I have offended any of you, but I just had to get this off my chest. Thanks for giving me the opportunity.

Margie


Later everyone

jack