Obama!

I have never been so proud to be an American. I couldn't be happier with the progress we have already achieved. It's going to be a long road, but I feel much better with Barack Obama at the helm. His acceptance speech was incredible. I don't have much to compare it with, within the scope of history, but it made me cry and it made me happy to realize that finally, someone wants America to be by the people, for the people. I do feel like we need to get back the the values and ideals on which our country was founded. It's not about parties or reputations, it's about making America a better place. Its about making sure people have a home they can pay for, a job they can earn a decent living with and its about freedom of speech and acceptance. Its about providing health care to those who need it and an education to those who want one. Its about equality. Although we took 221 years to elect someone who didn't fit the mold, 8 years to see the mistakes and desire change, it took one night to make America a place I am proud to call my home. Although I am overseas, I am looking forward to eventually coming home. I can't say I'd feel the same way if the results were different. I wouldn't be looking for a place to live outside of America, because you can't really escape America. That can be good and bad. My passport proudly announces that I am an American and today, I proudly announced it. For the first time.

Some of my favorite parts of the acceptance speech (from npr.org)
"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."

"...from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this earth. This is your victory."

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year, or even one term, but America — I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We as a people will get there."

"This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you."

"In this country, we rise or fall as one nation — as one people."

"And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight, we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope."

"For that is the true genius of America — that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."

"This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time — to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can."

Something good I read somewhere else, don't remember where: "Rosa sat so Martin could walk, Martin walked so Obama could run, Obama is running so our children can fly."