of the United States of America. Yes we can. This is just a battle we've won but the war is far from over. What will you vow to do to help instead of hinder your country with close-mindeness views?

Pray for the soul of America as the country struggles to retain some semblance of democracy under a socialist regime.

With pride I salute Predient Obama and Vice President Biden.

McCain was very gracious is his speech this evening and attempted to unite everyone, even his own supporters, behind President-elect Obama. McCain said he will work with and support Obama as President because McCain always works in support of his country. McCain has always demostrated throughout his career and even this campaign that the interest of the country comes before that of the political party. As his slogan said, "Country First". We should all follow his example and give our full support to the new President so that we can together support the country we all love.

I watched some of the interviews last night from the common people at Grant Park. It was like watching the reaction to the OJ Simpson verdict.

"We won, we won. America has finally elected a black man."

God help us all

-whoisjohngalt

I did not vote for Obama (Libertarian Barr), but now that he is elected President, he IS my president.

I feel that to backbite hime would be the same thing that so many Americans did to our Vietnam vets when they came home from that horrible situation.

We are Americans, he is our President, we should stand behind him and remain the United States of America.

I agree Michelle. I don't think that by disagreeing with him I am "close minded" though... and I don't think it means I have to agree with every move he makes. After all, there are MANY who support the troops but not the President in the War... But I do and will pray that he makes the right choices for America and I will continue to be active in my local politics and hope that the changes he makes will help, and not harm, America. Only time will tell.

I do congratulate him on winning. It's too bad his grandmother didn't get to see his win. I am sad for him and his family for that.

No, that just makes us into little robots. We still have our own ideas. Adn we still have the right to write to our congressmen (and women) about things we need/want. This is our country- and these folks are here to supprt us. A fact that gets lost in the minds of our leaders sometimes!

That is the biggest problem I have with the electoral college thing. McCain would have lost either way. But in popular vote the difference was much closer 52% - 46%, Electoral votes it was almost 2 to 1 in Obama's favor.

Exactly!

I have a quote from Marguerite Young that I find more than appropriate when it comes to politics: "If you understand hallucination and illusion, you don't blindly follow any leader."

I don't agree with everything Obama said. However, I agreed with him more than I agreed with McCain, therefore, Obama was my candidate and I am glad he won.

Yes, I am also glad for his victory, He also my vote!

If McCain had ran as McCain, the one who delivered the speech last night, he could have won.

But I am satisfied that America made the best choice it could.

Not satisfied.

Not satisfied and deeply, deeply saddened for my country and the impending ruin that will result under a socialist leadership.

Check out Rachel Lucas' Blog , it will lift your spirits.

I'm heartsick over this. I listened and studied so much about both candidates for months. It wasn't enough to cast a vote and talk about it. Next election, I'm CAMPAIGNING and getting really involved. That's a promise.

Pray and pray some more, and do all that I can to do my part as a voting American.

The road ahead is a tough one. But, the majority of America has spoken, they wanted change. Regardless of who you voted for, there must be unity. Because, only with unity, and opened minds and hearts can we tackle what is ahead.

Barack Obama won, but the work continues. And as he so eloquently said, we have to do it together.

I'm sorry, Ruthe. If you wish to buy into the rhetoric, that's your call. But I'm not a supporter of the socialist movement. Therefore, unless Obama moves his views to a more democratic stance supportive of the republic in which we stand, I cannot support him.

Again, I may be surprised and Obama may alter his socialist course; but I doubt it.

Lets everyone not forget, the President IS important, but he is not the only arm of our government.

We still have the congress, house of representatives, and judicial system as well.

If in the next 2 years things seem to be really sucking eggs, then we can vote out 1/2 of congress and replace them.

That is the whole point of our checks and balances system.

Amen, Michelle.

YEAH Chelle, by the way I voted for you sorry Vance. I guess this is probably why I am so surprised by the negative attitudes about Obama being President. He doesn't get to just change every thing he wants , it has alot to do with the congress, house of representatives and the judicial system. We should pay as much attention to who are in those offices as well as the president, it all works together. I think we also need to start taking some responsibility for our own actions, often times people start yelling about things and it ends up they put themselves into a situation, not always but often.

Our checks and balance system is a little skewed at the moment. We have a far-far-far left president, a politically motivated and most of the time incompetent, but still left-leaning Congress, and a Judicial Branch giving rights to terrorists caught on the battlefield and taking away rights of American citizens. There is no balance right now.

-whoisjohngalt

Right, I do my part, in my state. I always vote, but as far as where I stand I live in a democratic state, so if I don't agree, even if I vote, the majority here is not voting the same. County-wise, we are actually a conservative county and vote mostly Republican. I agree, people need to start voting more in local elections and being aware of who they are putting in power.

The count I live in is blue amungst a sea of red. I live in west central illinois, a very conservative area. They are really republican here. However, the county I am in is very democratic when it comes to voting. We are also a university county with two other universities in neighboring cities so I can see why. Where i grew up south of chicago it's VERY BLUE.

It is highly important to vote in all local elections no matter how small it is. While your voice may be different than the whole state, your local voice carries more power because it is... LOCAL.

It's always important to vote even if you do not agree with the candidates. This is a country of the people, by the people, and for the people. If the people do not vote, is it really the peoples wish that happens or the wish of the few who actually took time to vote.

There is no balance right now, but if America is truly unhappy with the way things are going, then in 2 years, we have a chance to change 1/2 of Congress and the House of Representatives. THEN we can see some balance restored.

It tends to work this way (usually) - we get out of balance for a year or two, the people realize how bad it is, and we step in and change it. That is my hope for the 2010 elections. This ons is over, but changes can always be made.

I am so happy about our new President Barack Obama!!! I campaigned for him here in Georgia and drove to Florida to make a change and get out the vote for him. Eight years of failed economic policies, a war that has drained our finances and deregulation of everything has been so hard on the working class American. Now when I tell my young brothers you can be the President if you want to it won't sound hollow. Finally it will be the truth.

Our country is the greatest country to live in and once again it has showed the world that anything is possible. From the slave house to the white house has been the journey for our people and it couldn't have happen to a better person.

Even if you don't share my views about our new President please pray for him and our country because prayer is really needed.

Candace

Hey Candace, first let me start of with the positive that I do agree with your first paragraph but honestly I do not agree with you about "From the slave house to the white house", don't make it about that because it simply isn't true at all, if this is why you campaigned you certainly missed the mark. Don't put President Obama in that category, from my point of view he represents change, a good change and honestly not once have I felt he represents a race, he wants to represent PEOPLE. He is a good man, with good ideas and will make a wonderful President.

Lets revisit four years from now and see if we all still have the same opinions.

Exactly what was it he said except the word Change. If you asked him what was it he did not tell you what his change was.

You know, I think McCain nailed it on the head -- this is our country, it has always been our country, and, if we work for it, it will continue to be our country, even if that means working with people you didn't elect.

As a child, my mother always taught me that you don't have to respect the man, but it's imperative to respect the office of the President. Which is why it pains me so to hear so much of the campaign rhetoric now. On the trail, no holds barred (as long as the claims can be substantiated) but to hear the words "Socialist" now is painful. The fact is, he's American, and will be the President. In four years if you still feel the same, scream at the top of your lungs about the bad calls he's made, but, I beg in the name of our country, please try and remember that in disrespecting the office, you disrespect our country.

John McCain gets it. Why can't the rest of us?

PS -- I can understand the POV about "from the Slavehouse to the White House" there have been many over our history that have been under represented and oppressed. But we as a society need to look forward, not backward. I'm not saying forget the lessons, but dwelling isn't healthy for anyone. I heartily recommend the book "Slavery by Another Name", just while we're on the subject...

It is just like when you work at a job. You are probably not going to get along with all of your coworkers.

But in order to get a project finished on time, you MUST work together.

We have already had a civil war in this country. It killed more Americans than any other war we have participated in. Not to mention ripping apart families.

If you think changes need to be made, then work for them. Don't insult people on forums. DOn't fight with your neighbors. Don't argue with your coworkers.

The election is over, it is decided. TO make a difference, study your laws, get petitions together, and think about who you want in congress in 2010.

For the time being, though -help your fellow Americans in whatever way you can.

Why does the word "socialist" cause you such pain? I also did some research on the terms communist and socialist and marxist, and I find it amazing that people are still in denial that Obama's desire to "spread the wealth" is anything other than socialism. If it pains you that much, maybe that is because deep down you know the truth.

From Merriam Webster Dictionary Online


I feel like #3 is a good definition that fits us where we are now.

Now, communism


I see this one being the end result of Obama's spread the wealth campaign. Economic goods/income is spread around equally.

and lastly, marxism


I feel like this is his end goal. He wants to equally distribute the wealth. He wants to erase class lines.

Do you agree, disagree? Why or why not? This is just what I have come up with from my own research and from what I have seen and heard directly from Obama. I keep hearing the word "Change" and I keep hearing how all these people are ready to work with Obama to achieve this "Change" but I have yet to hear exactly WHAT change and exactly HOW they are going to help. I'd like to hear from his supporters EXACTLY what they are going to do to support and help him make whatever these changes are going to be.

And yet these same people are the one's who deny that his spread the wealth campaign is socialism. I'd like to know what exactly that is also, if not socialism. Is there a new term for it? Or are people afraid to use it because it has a bad rep but deep down really agree with it? I don't know. I really would like to understand though.

Even McCain made a wonderful speech about working together. He was gracious and eloquent and I would have been happy enough if he won the presidency. But he recognizes that we have to work together, no excuses, to create futures we envision.

If he could be so thoughtful in his concession remarks, maybe we can take that to heart? I have no doubt he will do everything he can to encourage people to work together. I know well his record, having lived most of my adult life in Arizona - he really did stretch across both party lines, to his credit. He isn't one to undermine the government he loves b/c he didn't secure the presidency.

I think we should use this great man as an example. :-)

I agree with you, Jilly. Very well said!

You might want to read Barack Obama's plans at

BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

I am also happy that Obama won the election. I can even begin to think how sad it would have been for our future and the future of our children if he had not won. Don't get me wrong McCain is a hero and had he been younger and more on task with the issues I would have been interested in having him as President. The slave house to the white house comment (made by another poster) is not something that should have been put out there though. Yes African Americans have come a long way but this is how we began to heal the wounds of old by simply moving on. Does that mean forget? NO but he didn't get in office with just African American votes, I saw Whites, Hispanics, Asians, and Africans Americans voting, so while I understand what you ment it was just phrased wrong. Go Obama!!!

Michelle, you got me on this one. I can finally say I've read something you've posted in this forum that I agree with. I thank you for saying that and no, you're not closeminded but some are. Thanks again,....see we can be respecful.

No time for pessimism Lynne. We can all do it together. What if God allowed this to happen to our country to see if we would work together? Think about it as we roll up our sleeves in unity :)and help save our country. No more finger pointing, that's for those who have never, ever made a mistake in anything. (smile)

This thread is all over the place which makes it difficult to respond to everything so let me start here:



Very well said, Pam. And now, for everyone who is saying we need to work together with Obama, please answer the question above. What did 'you' do to work with President Bush?

For the past 8 years we have heard nothing but Bush-bashing and somehow it even became socially acceptable to bash our President. It's interesting how one day has changed everything. All of a sudden it is irreverent to say anything non-Pollyanna about Obama. Why the difference? Why the double standard?

Kay, if only he would have allowed us. He had his own game plan and wanted to be the only participant in playing. Now, you know that. Seriously.

Get past the bad parts and let's welcome new ones. Are you game? Are do you want to stay down in the dumps about this?

And here's the sad part Jilly. Just like I said in another topic on this same forum about love. Yesterday, Rush Limbaugh actually (I could not believe this), tore down McCain in what he said. He started complaining about why McCain lost...it was because of the matter of speech he gave on the night of Obama winning. Even had the nerve to say, "this is why us conservatives are messed up" we have some of us going to the other side instead of unifying despite our mistakes." Is that ludicrous or what?

I'm Christian. Love Jesus and reverence God with all my might but if I knew that the person I saw for example, was an atheist and needed my help, it would be my duty to serve him with love. How many of you are Christians? Because a Christian attitude would never, ever put down someone because their viewpoints differed yours. Some are giving us the definition of socialism, how 'bout you check the definition of love. See where you fit. Each of us.

Amazing what Rush said. If only those who make a life of passing hate (hannity and others....), would just stop for a moment and reflect, they might just shut up but then that would be a fantasy.

McCain's wording made me tear up. Here he is saying let's work together, but just take a look through this forum and see the negativity. Its like they want to see Obama fail. I didn't vote for Bush and never have voted Republican but even I prayed that Bush wouldn't do, just what he did. Apparently, it was God's will. Just thought I'd shared the pessimistic,ugliness of "some" republican views. It's really, really sad.

What exactly is that suppose to mean?