GraniteGrok

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President-elect Obama told more than 100,000 people who gathered for a victory celebration in Chicago’s Grant Park:

“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,”

Indeed, it is still true. ANYBODY can be president in America, including a black man. Hopefully this will finally repudiate once and for all the notion that America is a racist country for those who viewed it as such. And, just because certain powerful political figures controlling the so-called “machine” like the Clintons felt it was their place to rule again, this election has shown otherwise. Despite their ambitions, this election effectively removes Hillary and hubby Bill from the presidential stage for eight years. People from outside traditional spheres of power and influence CAN rise up to the very top in this country. Lincoln proved it, as did Truman, Carter, Reagan, and now Barack Obama. Now I’m not saying that the voters were always correct in their decisions, but nevertheless, are not always beholden to a given era’s “powers that be.”

In addition to such obvious benefits from the outcome of the election, there were several other “bright spots” that have come to the fore during this latest campaign that --even if your choices lost-- can be savored and appreciated. More than ever, an ordinary Joe in America —as demonstrated by a plumber with a positive attitude and a dream-- can have an impact and join in the debate over the big issues of the day. Certainly this election has brought us yet another step closer to the day when a “regular Jane” could be president. What’s really nice is that we can take solace in the fact that such a woman wouldn’t have to necessarily be liberal and pro choice. A libertarian-leaning conservative woman might just be the ticket, as so ably demonstrated by Sarah Palin, whose introduction to the scene is certainly one of the most exciting outcomes of the ’08 presidential season.

Bloomberg.com reported that Barack Obama’s

“victory, along with his party’s gains in congressional contests, puts Democrats in firm control of the federal government for the first time since the early 1990s. That gives Obama an opportunity to turn his victory into a pivotal moment in the country’s political history.” 

So what do you suppose that will mean?

First of all, despite my involvement up to my eyeballs in all things political, outside of just a couple of issues like national security, I like to think that who the president is or who controls Congress is of little consequence to me in my daily life. When it comes to taxation here in the Granite State, a town’s selectmen and school board members along with those serving at the county level seem to have the biggest and most direct impact on me and my little world. Given the speed at which the federal government led by ANY president and Congress moves, in all probability, the changes that affect me most negatively will be slow, if ever, in coming. (Hey, I can at least hope, right?)

Secondly, with the Democrats led by admitted and known liberals in charge of everything, the people will have nobody but them to blame when things go wrong, as they always do. There is nothing that can really stop many of the various cyclical forces at work in modern societies. Perhaps more people will finally learn that governments, no matter who is in charge, cannot do everything for everybody, and will look to each other and within themselves for the wherewithal needed to be successful—perhaps even within the strengthening structure of a family. When something goes bad—as Vice President elect Joe Biden has assured us will, George Bush and Dick Cheney and Karl Rove won’t be around to point an accusatory finger at. What WILL the mainstream media do then?

Remember—Barack Obama and the Democrats did not win in a landslide. Now, fully in the driver’s seat, but with enough Republicans still around to make heard some opposing voices, it is time for the Democrats to GOVERN. Can they put their money where their mouths are? If they do, and make everything right, I’ll be thrilled to pieces, and the first one to admit I was wrong—but, given the realities of a harsh world, I doubt they’ll change much for the better.

As we enjoy the brief interlude before the next campaigns, there are a couple of other things I’m looking forward to: The media will stop going on and on with dismal economic news. The news coverage of the war on terror will be more balanced with no Bush to embarrass. And hopefully, we’ll no longer hear how the US is a racist country. Not bad, all things considered.

Oh, and my prediction for 2010? Buyer’s remorse… That’s the beauty of the American political system—nothing’s ever permanent.