Dear Republican friends and McCain voters,
Trust me, I understand your grief and sorrow at the recent presidential election. I felt the very same way one December night in 2000. The feelings you have right now have been shared by most Americans at one time or another. Know that you have found someone that shares in your worry, concern, and anxiety about what’s going to come in our country over the next four years. One of the blessings of being liberal is our capacity for empathy, and our ability reach out and comfort those who feel ostracized or forgotten. We work to create inclusive communities, and you are most welcome here.
First, I must reassure you that our country is in good hands. 53% of Americans have chosen as their leader a man of great integrity, intelligence, moral courage, and humility. I trust him implicitly with the task ahead; and, as we all know, it’s quite a task indeed. After eight (and you could argue twenty-eight) years of unregulated Republican rule, our country is in the proverbial toilet, our economy is in shatters, and our Constitution is in tatters and in need of serious Scotch tape.
It is with great excitement that I write these words: have no fear, Obama is here. Sure, he is a Constitutional law professor, community organizer, and a progressive politician. He’s also a husband, a semi-decent basketball player, and a dad. He’s not about to let the country into the sewage pipes on his watch. He’ll surround himself with the best and the brightest this country has to offer; and in turn, he’ll offer to us plans and ideas to lead us out of this greed-induced mess. He’ll govern with us in mind; not corporations or lobbyists.
One thing that I’m sure we absolutely agree on is that we have talent and finesse in this country; it’s one of our best national products. Obama epitomizes this, and is the quintessential American. He comes from our stock, born in humble middle class beginnings, raised by his mother, then his grandparents, not knowing his father. His upbringing, and his meteoric rise to his success absolutely represents the best that America can be. Surely you celebrate a man who overcame significant hurdles and odds, pulled himself up by his bootstraps, and made a name for himself.
I know you may have spent time listening to the Radiocons, and Faux News, and may be convinced that the man we chose to be our president is: 1) a Communist/Marxist/Socialist, 2) best friends with terrorists, 3) planning to tax us into oblivion, 4) fill in any irrational fear that I can’t even imagine. You may continue to listen to them. You may keep your television dial tuned in to watch them. If you do, I strongly encourage you to develop a critical eye and ear to the swill they spout. I’m sure you are much more intelligent than what they assume, and always, always, always, think for yourself. Read for yourself. Dare to challenge your beliefs. The results may surprise you.
Because of them, or because of your own political beliefs, right now, your internal rhetoric or fears may be getting in the way of joining this larger movement of restoring our country to the greatest it demands and deserves. Just know that when you are ready to join us, the slate is clean, and you’ll find a group of diverse people, from all races, socio-economic groups, sexual orientations, and nationalities, that have joined together for one single purpose: to restore the American promise once again. We may not agree on all of the solutions, but just know that you can be a part of this dialogue, and we invite you add your voice.
Obama has a place for you at the table. You see, in my reading of Obama, his history, back from the days of his youth, is one of inclusiveness. He does not shy away from other viewpoints; he listens to all. Remember when he appeared with rightcon Bill O’Reilly? He does not fear or loathe those who don’t agree with him. The power of his gifts and intellect allow for him to take in a wide range of views, and then he makes his informed decision. He wants all of us sitting at the table; not just those who supported him. I guarantee you that he will work hard for you, despite your lack of belief in him.
How can this be? The core essence of our world view point allows us to listen to the community, and build from within. We know that the strength of our community comes, not from dampening down dissenting voices, or quieting those who don’t adhere to a rigid line of thinking. We know that our strength comes from unity, joining together, intelligent, respectful discussions, engaged in thoughtful discourse. And from those discussions comes the solutions to any and all problems we face.
Liberals also know how it’s felt over the past eight years, being shut out and invisible to the current occupant of the Executive Mansion.. We know how frustrating it is to feel unrepresented in government. Because those times are still fresh and raw in our hearts, we will not stoop to allow any of our citizens to suffer under that divisiveness again. The great president Lincoln inspires us to find “the better angels of our nature”, and often forgave his adversaries. We strive hard to do the same.
I know, after the last eight years, it is quite hard to believe or even understand this. The past eight years haven’t been the best beacon of this possibility at all. It hasn’t been the norm in the White House to allow for diversity of thought; that you have value if you fell into a narrow subset of the population and the rest be damned. Obama won’t operate like that.
Do you know what he wants for our country? Maybe it’s some of the things that you want for your family, too. He wants to ensure that we can find jobs that pay a decent wage. He doesn’t want to us to file for bankruptcy because of medical bills. He’s working towards our children getting a good education, and he doesn’t want our children saddled with decades of debt just because they went to college. He’s going to secure our safety, from criminals and terrorists, because he doesn’t want his daughters living in fear any more than his fellow countrymen. He’s going to ensure us clean air and water. And finally, when we retire, he wants us to live comfortably. Sounds pretty decent, doesn’t it?
I know many of you didn’t support Obama, and many of you harbor suspicions about this man. I just ask that you give him a chance. Will he make mistakes? Of course. No one is infallible. Will he always make decisions that we will support? Not on your life. Being the president is all about making those tough decisions with the entire country in mind. Just know, as Obama walks into the Oval Office that first day after his inauguration, he walks in with all Americans in his mind. After January 20th, the Oval Office returns to the American people once again.
It’s nice to come home, isn’t it? And you have a place there, with all of us, should you choose to join us. That is up to you, but we welcome you, open arms. Let’s work together to restore our economy, improve our citizens lives, and make our country the beacon of freedom and liberty in the world it once was. Come join us, and let’s make and remake America into her greatness again.
Sincerely,
One voice among many