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A Lengthy Election Post-Mortem

Conflicting emotions right now. I’m really, really glad that this entirely too long and nasty presidential race is over. As a conservative, I’m personally not happy with the outcome. But as an Air Force brat, I was raised to love this country and respect its institutions. I respect the office of the Presidency, and I respect whoever holds that great office. I will support President Obama when he’s right. I will fight him when he’s wrong. But I will respect him as my President. (Unless he goes all oral sex and cigar nastiness in the Oval Office on us. That sort of thing loses my respect pretty dang quick.)
There are some closing observations I’d like to throw out there as a coda to this election.

• Making History - About 50 years ago, this country had whites-only water fountains, and blacks were consistently denied the ability to vote. Tonight, a black man has been elected president of the United States. This is an amazing, historic day for our country, and congratulations to Barack Obama for his tremendous achievement.
• Goodbye, Clintons - Bill and Hillary will now officially fade off into the sunset. Frankly, to me this is one of the biggest shocks of this whole process. I fully expected some sort of “October surprise” that would have brought Obama down, and given Hillary another shot in four years. But now the Clintons relinquish the power they have pursued for so long. A quiet whimper of an ending to an in-your-face political dynasty.
• Thank You, Republicans - You carry a big buttload of responsibility for the results of this election. George W. Bush has kept this country safe since 9/11, and I give him great credit for that. But there’s not much else he’s done in these final years of his presidency that I like. Out of control spending…weak immigration policies…the noxious bailout bill…in so many ways, a complete abandonment of conservative principles. I wonder who the next great conservative leader will be.
• So Long, Media - Where to begin? Has there ever been a time when the media of this country have been in the tank for a candidate from the get-go? Obama’s lack of experience, liberal record, and long list of questionable friends and connections? No problem. I get chills up my leg when he speaks (thanks, Chris Matthews). But Sarah Palin is the GOP vice-presidential candidate? Quick, send the troops to Alaska! Oh my God, she goes to church! Does she speak in tongues? Does she believe the war was God’s will? Troopergate! Clothes! Pregnant daughter! Dig through the dumpsters! Find someone that doesn’t like her and put them on CNN! And let’s not even start about the destruction of “Joe The Plumber”. So rest in peace, objective media. It was nice knowing you.
• Style Over Substance - I personally think history will look back at this election as the one where “American Idol” left its mark. There is no arguing the facts that Obama is the most liberal senator in American history (By the way, that whole “McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time” talking point? In the Senate, McCain voted with the Republican party 79% of the time. Obama voted with the Democrats 97% of the time. Look it up). And there’s no arguing Obama’s lack of experience (he’s served in the senate 143 days. McCain, 22 years.) But voters chose to put those things aside, and vote on “change”…without even knowing specifics on what kind of change it will be. They voted because Obama is an amazing orator, and John McCain, bless his heart, is painful to watch speechify. Obama is young, hip, and cool. McCain is a geezer. And so, the viewers have spoken. (By the way…in 2012, how about having the three debates moderated by Randy, Paula, and Simon?)
• Money Talks - What was the final figure that Obama raised? Over $600 million dollars? I’m not going to do the whole “he broke his promise about federal campaign funding”, or “he bought the election” thing. You can’t buy a presidential election. But with $600 million, you can sure yank that sucker’s chain. And I do think that a lot of the money that came in is probably ethically challenged. But what’s done is done. And thanks to this one, future presidential elections will be totally out of control when it comes to money.
• The system of checks and balances is still intact - without a super majority in the House or Senate, at least there’s something that will throttle back a full-blown liberal agenda.

So, what’s next?

Obama’s got a tough road ahead of him. The far left got him where he is, and they’re going to be banging the drums for their hard core beliefs. But if he swings that way in office, will he alienate the rest of the country? If he stays centrist, what will his fringe do? Regardless, there are a few things that I wonder about…and I voted, so I get to argue about them:

• Taxes - Obama rode into office on his “95% of Americans will get a tax cut” promise. But over 40% of Americans pay no taxes at all. If Obama keeps his promise and gives those 40% a check, paid from everyone else’s increased taxes, will everyone be okay with that?
• Taxes II - Let’s say Obama keeps his promise and jacks up the taxes on those evil companies in big oil and Wall Street. Once those companies lay off workers and raise their prices to compensate for their loss of capital, will people realize that big companies don’t pay their taxes…we do?
• Health care - Will the Democrats be able to finally create socialized medicine for America? And will people really think that the government that gave us the current state of welfare, social security, immigration, tax codes and Wall Street, can do a good job running our health care? THAT is scary.
• Abortion - Obama said that one of the first things he’d do as President is sign the Freedom Of Choice act. This bill would nullify any state or federal law that “interferes” with a woman’s access to an abortion, and would allow Medicaid (in other words, our tax money) to pay for it. Will everyone be okay with that?
• Civilian Security Force - Oh, did you miss this one? Obama said he wants to create a national civilian security force that would be just as strong as our military. Really? Who would they serve under? What would their job description be? Would they have guns and tanks? Will everyone be okay with that?

Well, there’s a few other things too…but this post has probably gone on way too long.

Just my random thoughts on the day after. But going back to my MAIN thought for today…

Man, I’m glad this election is over!

Your thoughts?

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