Inspired

I am inspired. Simple as that. As with many Americans last night I stayed glued to my television set watching what many of us felt would be history unfolding. Last night did not disappoint. For the first time in my adult life I was not working in a newsroom or at a campaign headquarters on the night of an election. The evening at home was bitter-sweet, yet the result was no less energizing and inspiring.

As with many in my generation, I have become jaded by politicians that 'represent' us in Albany and Washington and had little faith in their ability to actually inspire those who put them in office. Last night my faith in our ability as a people to unite was renewed. From the early morning hours of people waiting hours in line across the country, to the massive crowds on the streets of Washington, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and New York and around the world. They all felt that this was their election. It was nothing less.

We are experiencing history because of what we did as a people. As I listened to Barack Obama's speech last night, it glowed with unity, not vanity. He reminds me of true leaders of change in America's history - Dr. Martin Luther King and President Kennedy. They served as the beacon of hope for so many. This morning that light will bring the world to a place in history yet to been seen.

In my short 29 years I cannot recall a time in history where we were truly united as one voice other than September 11, 2001. Politics faded and our common humility as a united people were chilling - in that case due to a tragedy. But today we are the United States of America for the first time in a long time. I watched the hundreds of thousands of people on television and their faces said it better than anyone anywhere can ever say it - there is hope.

Election Night High

For the first time in my life, I actually got up early to vote today. For those who know me, I don't get up early for anything (including my wedding). I walked into the voting booth and voted with no false expectations about my vote actually counting on a national level. I 've been born and raised in a blue state and I accept that. However, I've been wired in to the election news coverage for months and now that the day is actually here, I am more inspired and adrenalized than I ever thought I would be about an election.

Regardless of who wins, voting will never be the same, nor should it be. It is inspiring to see people like me all over the country lining up to vote. I watched a piece on CNN where a school district in Florida actually registered all of their high school age voters at their respective school districts and then bussed the students to the various polling locations to make sure they voted. And here's the kicker - the kids were excited to do it. At 7:15 this morning, I actually was to. It's a great privilege to take an active role in shaping the path of history in some small way and I think nation-wide people want to participate in it. That's why you are getting the lines of people who aren't complaining about the wait. They can say they waited in line to participate in history. It's become a badge of honor nationwide. I'm so proud of our citizens for being so motivated. Well done.

Election Marathon Nears Finish Line - Who's Tired?

I can now officially count down the days on one hand until we have a new president-elect. I have my thoughts on who will win, but when this is all said and done, what will we all do next? It seems that we have a perpetual election day IV stuck in our arm and its been pumping toxins for two years. McCain and Obama have been campaigning for two years, which is half of the total time they will spend in office. This is starting to feel like a bunch of Christmas mornings rolled into one with the post-election detox being the ultimate let down.

I give people a lot of credit for becoming motivated and inspired to get so involved in politics this year. Their passion is without question. However, at the end of the day, regardless of who is elected, there will not be overnight change or very little change a year from now. I'm not trying to be a cynicist, but a realist. We live in a world of instant gratification and there is no way that our financial, educational and health care problems will be solved by electing one new person. What Obama symbolizes (in victory or defeat) is that politics will never again be the same.

I watched his $5 million infomercial last night and you can't help but get a few chills. Not because I have faith in his policies, but because he's done something totally new. He has mobilized an enormous sector of Americans. If you look at McCain vs. Obama, they are the epitome of new verses old. McCain is accustomed to politics the old way and hasn't wavered from that. Obama has turned politics on its ear and given those who have given up on the system that helps them and hurts them a little bit of hope.

I hope that when the dust settles, the votes are counted and the world moves on from this marathon of an election that that hope and passion doesn't burn out. We are at a true crossroads. I hope our will is strong enough to carry us.

Mr. Monkey President States the Obvious: He's not the sharpest tool in the shed

Every morning I scour the online newspapers of Binghamton (my old haunt) and Rochester (my current haunt) and just hours before the final presidential debate, W comes out with 'breaking news' that the economy will rebound from its current state. First of all, what the hell else is he gonna say? "The economy will continue to spiral downward at lightening speed, all residents will be destitute and I'll be playing golf and riding horses in Texas, y'all?"

I have never had high expectations for Mr. President. When he was first elected I was in college and was more interested in the news coverage of the entire game show rather than the outcome. I lived in Ithaca at the time which shoots any Republican upon entry to their city (not that I can blame them with people like Bush at the helm). After Bush won/lost/won/lost the election I guess my thinking was that we were stuck with him and hopefully he would surround himself with people who were smarter than he. As we have seen, eight years has not brightened the dullest bulb in the White House. I imagine the fat cats that good old Bush surrounds himself with are having a good laugh at what a dud he is and they are loving that they can manipulate him enough to actually say what he says and do what he does.

Most current case and point is his remark about that economy. I do not like my intelligence insulted (I imagine I'm not the only one) and when Bush comes out with rose garden press conferences about how today is Wednesday or how the sky is blue, its more than a dad bit insulting. I thought that after eight years (sick as it sounds) that he would at least improve on his pronunciation, enunciation, and public speaking. I wonder if he doesn't care that he is the largest political joke and train wreck in American history or he really doesn't get it. Ignorance and stupidity are not mutually exclusive. So, thank you Mr. President for pointing out the fact that your bulb has not brightened. It's a lame duck just barely flickering and I can't wait for it to finally go out.

The Blue State Blues

I've been watching all of the presidential and the lone vice presidential debate with great care. However, I've come to realize that at the end of the day my vote for president means absolutely nothing. I am a staunch independent, which (for me) means that I attempt to look issues, candidates and what their decisions mean for my future and the future of my family. What I've concluded is that the only person who can control that future is me. Not evil candidate A or B.

When I do vote, it will be an informed vote, however, it will be a wasted vote. Here's why. . . living in New York or any notoriously liberal state has come to mean that candidates devote no money, time or resources to earmarking votes for our state because the outcome is pretty much pre-determined. When was the last time there was a Republican presidential event in New York, California or Illinois? But, candidates make damn sure they are touting Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Colorado every chance they get.

Although I'm spending time and effort examining the current state that we are in as a state, country and world, its pre-determined that my state's electoral votes are already (and always) thrown in the blue column without a second thought. New York is a guarantee.

So, at the end of the day the fate of the future of our country and its place in the world is being driven by the "golden states" - Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio and Missouri. I'm not sure this kind of election selection is safe. . . or really enforces the ideal of "every vote counts."

-sb