I don’t.  I hate smear campaigns, I hate the whole “who you know” aspect of things, and I hate the money ties.  In general, I hate politics.  Even so, I can’t possibly NOT blog about an election that will change our lives forever.

I believed this election was SO important, that I actually voted - the first year ever for me to do so.  (Although, if you figure in my age you may balk a little less.)  But, this year, I got up early, got the family dressed and headed out to do our “American duty.”  Funny thing is, I didn’t vote for either of the main presidential candidates - in fact, I didn’t vote for any of them.  I wrote someone in.

If you know me well, you know that my thinking has never really been able to captured “inside the box.”  I was always the kid raising their hand during multiple choice tests (much to the teacher’s dismay) and saying, “Well technically…” and “But, I wouldn’t do either of those things!!”  “Just pick one!” They’d snarl.  And, so I would - but, not without writing in the margins yet another choice they had forgotten or left out.  Yesterday, though was different.  Yesterday was my chance to weigh in on something as an ADULT - an adult who would not be graded for the “right” answer.  And, as such an adult, I believed it was my duty to not choose what many were calling “The Less Of Two Evils.”  (Note:  I don’t think either man is evil or would bring down the US, I just wasn’t full onboard with either.)

So, I wrote someone in.  A real person, someone that HAD been running but then dropped out of the race.  Someone that I believed in.

Of course, that person didn’t win - and Obama did.  Steven and I watched the election results on our laptops feverishly, constantly updating the results as they came in.  And, when Obama won, I was glad.  When it came to Obama vs. McCain only, I did have my preferences - but, to be honest I would’ve found the positive in either as a victor.  I believe both have their shortcomings (as do we all), but both definitely have their own positives, as well.

We watched as the numbers skyrocketed and Obama won - and for the first time in history, we will have a bi-racial president.  This man will try his darnedest to fix our health care so nobody has to suffer alone, and he will help alleviate some of the financial strain many of us are feeling.  He’s going to try to make this place a little greener, and he’s giving a lot of people HOPE.

I know a lot of people were downright AGAINST Obama, and I’ve heard the slurs and the horrible words (oftentimes paired with your religious beliefs, which strikes me as ironic).  But, I hope all of you can take a breath and realize that no matter what color his skin, where he came from, or whether or not he supports gay marriage and a woman’s right to choose - he also represents a lot more.

He represents change.  He represents hope.  He represents America.

Just go with it.  Embrace it for what it is and do your part to make this a better place for ourselves and our children.

Welcome back!