Election Night 2012

Now that the election is over, I have to admit the shock I have from some of posts I have seen trickle through my Facebook stream.  I have seen accusations of how uneducated we Americans are.  That we should move to Canada.  That the 47% got their way (even though by the end of the night, Obama had won the popular vote too).  I have seen ‘let the handouts begin’ and ‘what shape will we be in after 4 years’, ‘Let the degradation of our country begin’ and finally, ‘Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups’.  There you go 50+ million voters…you’re stupid.  Wow.

I have questions for those of you who feel the election has jaded your view of this country.  If you were serving in a war, would you care less if the person that was supposed to have your back was Republican or Democrat, or just glad they are an American?  How about if it was your son or daughter?  Do you think our troops in Afghanistan gives a rat’s behind whether the guy they are searching for IEDs with is Republican, Democrat, or any other party, or that he/she is precise and thorough in their job?  Think about it – every soldier that has gone to war has done so for his country, not his party.  I wholeheartedly support our troops – from every party – as I’m sure you do too.  We have more battles in front of us, some literal and some figurative.  I could care less about the party of the people with which I will go to battle.  I would love to see changes made in a lot of things, but it won’t come easily.  One asset is that as Americans, we share a patriotism that very few countries share.  All too many times we see the tragedy of countries embroiled in civil war, and the slaughter of each other’s people.  We learned the hard way that just doesn’t work.  We became the UNITED States of America, but somehow have lost the definition of united.  Change will be a lot easier if we find the meaning again.

As I listen to Mitt Romney give his concession speech, he says it’s time to end bipartisanship, it’s time to reach across the aisle and work together.  He calls for an end the political posturing, and to support the leader this country has chosen.  If he had won, this is what would have expected of the Democrats had they lost.  Be disappointed your party’s candidate lost, fine, but to admonish the very freedom we have to elect a leader by trashing those who have made the decision is un-American. 

I saw two posts tonight by people that gave me hope that after the dust settles, we will all head down the path together.  John Hess says, “My personal professional and economic success does not rely on a President.  It is a reflection of myself and my work ethic. It always has been and always will be. The economy may change, markets may change, but I will always try to rise above”, and Russ Ludens says, “If the candidate(s) that you voted for won, then I congratulate you.  If they lost then I send you my sympathies.  BUT I WILL NOT STOOP TO RUBBING IT IN ANYONES FACE.  The right to vote your convictions is too precious and too sacred to gloat about.  I will accept the outcome and pray that we move on to a better country for all of us to live in.”  Well said gentleman.

My personal feeling is that we have some work to do, and my country elected a leader to lead us.  We do not have to be lemmings and follow everything, as it is our obligation to correct our leaders when the path they are taking may lead us astray.  However, we do have moral and ethical duty to accept what the vote has determined.  He won the electoral AND popular vote, so clearly America has spoken and whether I agree or disagree with the outcome, I stand behind our leader. 

It boils down to this for me… whether it is a city, state, or national issue, nothing will be achieved by the person pointing the finger, but will be by the person lifting one.