I've got a happy hangover...
I've got a happy hangover. Certainly I should go to work soon, especially after all the time I've spent volunteering (not to mention obsessively checking DKos).
My knuckles are raw and bloody (seriously) from knocking on doors in wind, rain, snow, and dark. But it was worth it.
This morning I rewatched the will.i.am "Yes We Can" video and started to cry...didn't see that coming. My wife cried tears of joy last night during the election returns party.
I'm tired, but content. Tired of being told to sacrifice for the country by going shopping. Tired of 1984 doublespeak, when Clear Skies program pollute, when we don't "torture," when doing your patriotic duty to dissent and make your voice heard makes you "un-American."
I'm disappointed that crazy-lady Bachmann was re-elected, but I suppose she must really represent the views of the people in her district. I'm very very disappointed that California (and Arkansas) chose (again) to enshrine hate and discrimination into their state constitutions. I'm saddened when I think of all my gay friends that are prevented from the same joy that my new wife and I experienced at our wedding this summer, and I'm sad for our society in it's misguided attempts to prevent the sorts of stable, 2-parent families that can make the basis of a strong society.
But mostly I'm happy, relieved, eager. I think this effort was about so much more than electing "our guy." I met wonderful people volunteering for the Obama campaign, and the election night party was just full of energetic, creative, giving people -- now I feel a stronger connection to all the acquiantances from all over town that I already sort-of liked. I think I'm not the only one who was inspired by this campaign to do more, to work with neighbors to find ways to improve our communities. Who knows, maybe I'll run for an office some day myself.
Thank you, President-elect Obama. Thank you for running a nearly-flawless campaign as you fought and won an uphill battle to make history. When I first heard your speeches and read your book, I thought "Now there's someone who would make an amazing president. Too bad it could never happen in this country. Not in this country that re-elected George W. Bush." Thank you for proving me wrong. Thank you for showing the world (and myself) the power of community organizing. Thank you for your inspiration. Thank you for helping wake the world from it's collective nightmare. We couldn't quite flip Montana blue for you this time around, but I'm pretty sure you can count on us for your re-election.
I am eager for the future.
Yesterday: "Yes We Can."
Today: "Yes We Did."
Tomorrow: "Yes We Are."
Yes we are striving to create a better tomorrow.