Post-Election Thoughts

This past election was the biggest political event I’ve ever been a part of. I was too young to partake in the Philippines’ People’s Power Revolution back in 1986 but I remember seeing on t.v. the joy and the elation when normal, everyday citizens took the government back by overthrowing a ruthless dictator. Obama’s victory last Tuesday reminded me of that moment. It felt like the whole country won that night! I cannot recall such jubilation all across the country through a political victory.

It’s no surprise why Obama won. In these times of economic turmoil & war, Americans needed hope and a Kennedy-like spirit that would uplift the country. Obama was that guy. While I stand by what I said that either McCain or Obama would have been a vast improvement from Bush, I always believed in my heart that Obama was the better candidate of the two. He has a better economic plan, a more positive outlook on education & the war, and he believes in universal healthcare.

Obama will not perform any miracles. Nope. He won’t turn water in to wine or part the waters of Lake Tahoe or walk on water. He’s not Christ … sorry to disappoint the loyal Obmanists. Rebuilding the country will take more than 1 term or even more than 2. The economy has peaks and valleys and America has dug itself in to a giant crater deep within that valley. The president-elect will have a tough uphill climb during the next 4 years. What can we do to help? Act, spend, and think more wisely. We can point fingers at everybody with what happened with the economy – taking loans we couldn’t possibly afford. We all need to take responsibility for the war in Iraq – for believing whatever our government told us & not questioning their motives. We all need to look in the mirror when it came to frivolous spending – buying overpriced, named-brand products made from overseas while American manufacturers go bankrupt (not to mention supporting companies that ship jobs overseas). We should have demanded for affordable healthcare a long time ago – aren’t we commanded to help those who have the least among us? Have we forgotten the story of the Good Samaritan? Americans need to be smarter and actually do some research before we elect our public officials – corruption & sex scandals should not be a part of the political mainstream or for any mainstream for that matter. We need to start taking care of our environment and start investing on energy-efficient vehicles, and stop buying ridiculously large, gas-guzzling S.U.V.’s.

Barrack Obama cannot resurrect this country on his own. We all need to work together. Partisanship needs to end. Whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, it doesn’t matter. May these last 8 years of dysfunction, disunity, and ignorance be a reminder of “what not to do”. Let’s pray for all our leaders and let’s embrace hope, not in Obama or any political party, but in God.