A New Day

It's a new day in America. And more than that, it's a new world. The results of last night's election are likely more profound than we can imagine at this point in history. Sure, we understand the American people have elected the first African American President. This alone is significant on so many levels, but the poll results for senate seats, governorships, and propositions speak volumes about who the American people have become. Much of it is encouraging; some of it demonstrates just how much more we can grow as a nation. Bill Maher said this of the United States (paraphrased), "There are a lot of people in this country who are ready to move on, to evolve into a cosmopolitan, enlightened society as exist in Europe, and join the rest of the world. But there are a lot of redneck idiots who won't let that happen." Until last night, I feared this would hold true, at least for another four years.

America has finally grown up, at least a little. The message sent by voters couldn't have been clearer. No longer will campaigns based on irrelevant personal attacks sway our focus on what matters most to us (take that Elizabeth Dole). We will no longer allow self-serving bureaucrats to hold their power for our fear of change. George W. Bush won on that platform four years ago. Not again. Hope was chosen over fear. The potential of a better world in our lifetimes resonated as truly possible. The rhetoric and fear-mongering of traditional politics and old Washington will no longer be tolerated by a people eager to leave the demons of their fathers behind.

I'm too exhausted by the campaign to dive into topics that have been discussed and over-dissected by political commentators and pundits for months. It's nothing we haven't heard, and nothing about which I'm likely to have a new opinion. Barack Obama isn't a Muslim. Sarah Palin isn't qualified to lead a country. John McCain could give out at any moment. Joe Biden should learn to shut up. We get it. Let's move on. Thank god we did. I'm grateful that it appears many were able to look past personal attacks and appearances and vote on issues affecting their lives.

What I do have energy to discuss are those who have angered and frustrated me during the past few months. Fact: I live in the Bible Belt. Fact: my vote for Barack Obama did nothing to win him electoral votes in Texas. Fact: I am in the minority of opinion in this part of the country. Fact: none of that changed my decisions at the polls. I hope this is true for you as well, regardless of your party affiliation. The right to, and act of voting itself is more powerful and precious than so much of the minutiae that tends to get in its way. I will not attack your intelligence if you choose to vote Republican. I will not vandalize your property should it bear a McCain sticker or Palin sign. I will respectfully discuss issues ideas with the understanding that our difference of opinion does not make us enemies. All I ask is that you do the same.

I also hope that whatever decision you made yesterday (or earlier, props to early voters), that you made it intelligently. Do the research. Find out what is important to you, and vote accordingly. But do not believe everything you are spoon fed by the candidates, the media, your family, or your church. Think for yourself. And for the love of god, be grateful we live in a nation where that is possible. Don't demonize those that disagree. Read. Learn. Try to understand. If you want to vote based on the abortion issue, go ahead. But educate yourself on what that really means.

Here's a public service announcement. Pro-Choice does not equal Pro-Abortion. Let me repeat that for those of you who still refuse to listen. Pro-Choice does not equal Pro-Abortion. I do not, nor would I ever, advocate abortion as a form of birth control. However, I don't presume to hold the high moral authority to tell other human beings what they can and cannot do with their own bodies. I can have my opinion on what is right, and what is wrong. So can you. But neither of us can force the other to act according those opinions. That's a violation of human rights, women's rights, and a slap in the face to those who founded this country to escape that kind of legislated morality. Separation of church and state. Those men were religious, some devout. Yet they had the wisdom to understand that your personal faith may not always be the best basis for running a country.

Of course, for the most part I am speaking to the extremists to the right and the left. At some point you're arguing semantics over who is more evil, insane, pick your adjective. Domestic terrorists who bomb government buildings in the name of freedom are cut from the same cloth as radicals who blow up abortion clinics in the name of God. The extreme to either side is scary, and neither is really intelligent.

But I was speaking of hope. Voters Colorado and South Carolina opposed measures that would have enacted wide-sweeping bans ..ion. South Carolina. Who knew? Massachusetts decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana. That's right. An ounce or less is now only a $100 civil fine. Nebraska no longer sees the need for Affirmative Action. Prostitution is still illegal in San Francisco, and Michigan has further protected stem cell research.

I also spoke of disappointments and examples that we still have a long way to go. California overturned their Supreme Court decision to allow same sex couples to marry. The good news is that the existing 18,000 marriages since June will remain valid. Arkansas took a shot at domestic partnerships of all sexual orientation by prohibiting non-married couples from adopting or fostering a child. Don't lose hope. To all of my GLBT friends, I love you, and setback is not a loss. Change is in the air, and one day, we will all be free to love.

On a lighter note, Barack Obama has offered Rahm Emmanuel the position of White House chief of staff. I'm sure this is going to make a lot of people nervous. But it will also serve as the first of many affirmations that a lot of people made the right choice. This guy is tough, and he has a proven ability to get things done. And, you know, this is shaping up to be one of the sexiest White Houses ever.

A final thought. Here's something Bobby Kennedy said forty years ago. I was amazed at how relevant it is today, and how we were again faced with the same choice: hope over fear.

"People are selfish. But they can also be compassionate and generous, and they care about the country. But not when they feel threatened. That's why this is such a crucial time. We can go in either direction. But if we don't make a choice soon, it will be too late to turn things around. I think people are willing to make the right choice. But they need leadership. They're hungry for leadership."