Obama mama!

So I couldn't help but get wrapped up in all the buzz of the new president. I must say, I LOVE him! And not because he is a democrat, but because he stands for some of the same things I believe in. One of my favorite figures in history is Martin Luther King, and I feel the two are similair in regards to civil rights and both are great speakers. My favorite part his inauguration speech:

"For we know our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus- and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

I am not just jumping on the "Obama" bandwagon, I enjoy politics and have read Obama's book "Audacity of Hope." I love his thoughts on democrats and republicans because the thing I do NOT enjoy about politics is the division between parties and how we are either for or against each other. Although I affiliate myself with the winning party of this election, I hold some of the same beliefs that republicans have, or I can at least see where they are coming from even if I don't agree. He writes that nothing is getting done because of the unwillingness to compromise. "Our way is the ONLY way" mentality. This had been my thoughts on the subject and believe that although he is a democrat, he will try to reach out to the republicans and get things done. He writes:

"Maybe the critics are right. Maybe there's no escaping our political divide, an endless clash of armies, and any attempts to alter the rules of engagement are futile. Or maybe the trivialization of politics has reached a point of no return, so that most people see it as just one more diversion, a sport, with politicians our paunch-bellied gladiators and those who bother to pay attention just fans on the sidelines: We paint our faces red or blue and cheer our side and boo their side, and if it takes a late or cheap shot to beat the other team, so be it, for winning is all that matters.

But I don't think so. They are out there, I think to myself, those ordinary citizens who have grown up in the midst of all the political and cultural battles, but who have found a way- in their own lives, at least- to make peace with their neighbors, and themselves. I imagine the white Southerner who growing up heard his dad talk about niggers this and niggers that but who struck up a friendship with the black guys at the office and is trying to teach his son different, who thinks discrimination is wrong but doesn't see why the son of a black doctor should get admitted into law school ahead of his own son. Or the former Black Panther who decided to go into real estate, bought a few buildings in the neighborhood, and is just as tired of the drug dealers in front of those buildings as he is of the bankers who won't give him a loan to expand his business. There's the middle-aged feminist who still morns her abortion, and the Christian woman who paid for her teenager's abortion, and the millions of waitresses and temp secretaries and nurses's assistants and Wal-Mart associates who hold their breath every single month in the hope that they'll have enough money to support the children that they did bring into this world."

I do realize what politicans have said and promised to get elected, but if the choice is between being cynical or believing in what he says...I'm going to pick the more hopeful path EVERY time.