Like most of you, I had grand visions two years ago. There was this man and he made me believe in the political process again. So much so that I gave up smoking so I could knock on more doors and make more phone calls to help get him elected. And when he was elected, I sat on my couch with my girlfriend--now fiance--and I cried. I cried because I was so happy, because I saw a brighter future.
I saw a future free of the muck and the sick that had made the last administration so terrible. Free of horrible disagreements, arguments about policy that made no sense politically, much less factually. A future where every one would get a fair shake. Where the wrongs of the past were erased, the clouds parted, and the world was bright again. All that remained was to wait until January 19th and then everything would be fine, right? Right...
January 19th came and went and, as the months went by, and the attacks on our President became more and more severe, I started to lose hope. Was this really the man I voted for? Was this the man I quit smoking for? Suddenly, I wanted a cigarette. But, I never gave in to the craving. I still held out hope. And more months went by and things seemed to get worse and worse and I still really wanted a cigarette. But then, a funny thing happened, I remembered something I had long forgotten about. Many years ago, my family was planning a vacation, we were planning it for months: California. And for all those months, I hoped we were going to Disneyland. But my Dad kept saying, "Money's tight, son, money's tight." And I knew this. I knew it was selfish for me to even entertain the idea of going to Disneyland, but what do you want, I was eight. So, finally, we set off on our vacation, drove halfway across the country. I met some cousins, saw the Grand Canyon, the works. We arrive in California and eventually we pull into...that's right, Disneyland. To this day, I don't know what my dad gave up to get us there and I can't ask him because he died a long time ago. The point is, sometimes, in life, you are dealt a disappointment, the thing you were expecting doesn't happen. You can wail and gnash your teeth, or, you can suck it up and move on to the next thing. I was quietly disappointed for months that I was not going to see Disneyland, MONTHS, but then, one day, it all changed, and all those months of worry and sadness were washed away by a wonderful man who I miss every day.
Has that day come for me with Barack Obama after his thorough smackdown of the GOP at their ridiculous Hawaiian retreat? No. Not yet it hasn't, but I am in the car, and my Dad is driving, and he has a big smile on his face and I am in the back seat with my G.I. Joes wondering, "Why is my Dad smiling so much?"
I admire everyone on this site for their convictions. I really do. I admire the ones who left because things were getting ridiculous. I admire the ones who stayed because staying and fighting is the only option. I admire pictures of kittens and puppies when things need cheering up. And I especially admire the people who dig down deep and do the research and explain complicated policy in ways that make it easy to understand and absorb to win political arguments later.
Today was a very good day. And it felt good to sit back and watch the President take a bite out of the republicans like he was McGruff the Crime Dog. But it was especially satisfying--I'm going to yell this next part so please prepare yourselves...
BECAUSE HE DID IT WITHOUT THE USE OF A TELEPROMPTER! HA HA HA! ALL YOUR REPUBLICAN FLAP ABOUT HOW HE'S NOTHING WITHOUT IT AND HE JUST TORE YOU TO PIECES. ALL YOUR TALKING POINTS. ALL YOUR NONSENSE. GONE! NOM NOM NOM!
Ah, that felt super good. Keep up the good work everyone. Keep this President honest. And most importantly, keep your chin up, it is the most valuable asset a person can muster in trying times. Thanks for reading.