Parental Perspective on the Election.

Hey all,

My parents (via my mom) sent this e-mail last night in regard to the election. As you may know, my mom was in county Government for 8 years in the Republican party, and has supported McCain during the election season. I appreciated very much their perspective, and it reinforced my love for my country, and my family! I thought I'd publish it on here because it is great to see her historical, and politically experienced opinion. Anyway... enough preface.

Hello my children,

After the various concerned texts and emails to make sure that I am "OK" with the election results, I decided I would share my thoughts about this election and the state of our nation.

A Contemporary View: I, too, am very proud of my country that we have finally elected our first African-American President! I do believe it is a great time for America and a testimony to the world that we ARE the country we talk about being - a place where anything can happen if you work hard enough at it! I love the fact that Obama is a great orator ------- certainly we are all ready for that! There is no doubt in my mind that he is very smart and appears to be measured. Having observed him, I would say that he has learned a great deal in his nearly two years of campaigning and that's good. Elected office of any kind is a steep learning curve and he needs to surround himself with good people and then be willing to make up his own mind. If his campaign is any indication of his executive skills, his administration should function very well. Of course, the unknown factor is what all the "good old boys" will do to him when they call in their tickets. I am worried about that but hopefully he will remember that he got a mandate from the people for CHANGE - not more of the same Washington BS! I share everyone's disdain of the insider stuffed shirts bloviating endlessly and saying thee SOS!

Speaking Historically: This morning I was thinking about just what it means to our nation that we have elected a black man to the highest office in the world. You may think this is odd, but I was overcome with emotions because I remembered so vividly the crisp Sunday morning when I was 13 years old, arriving at church to find the deacons (including my own dad) standing out front, each one with his gun in arms, ready to "defend our church against the negroes"! (They had been told that some blacks were going to try to "integrate" our church that day and were having none of it!) That particular moment changed my life in many ways - too many to elaborate on here. But I tell you this simply to remind you that I KNOW, as does your dad, how far we've come ----- and we are both so very happy to finally be here! Please do not doubt that!

On President-Elect Obama: He is a wonderfully charismatic man and I look forward to his presidency. I will pray for him everyday, as is my custom for our president and our nation. I am not upset at all about his election - I think it would have been bad for our country to deny him given all factors. I sincerely want him to be effective and admired, both at home and abroad. After Bill Clinton's ridiculous escapades that made a mockery of the Office of the President and George Bush's many blunders on assorted levels, I REALLY want success in Washington. I don't believe it's good to have one party in control of the Congress and White House so I will continue to work to elect republicans in two years. However, the party I joined has left me behind. The GOP had it's chance and they blew it! Having said that, the Democrat Party reminds me much more of the party of my childhood than of recent years ----- much more centrist. For that I am thankful and more comfortable. I will remind you that I grew up a Democrat, in a staunchly Democrat household. My dad's job was really only secure when a dem was in office. That was a totally different party than the one that has been the tax and spend party of the past 20 years however. At this point, there appears to be little difference in the two parties.

As a parent: Your Da and I are so proud of all of you for taking part in this election. It has never been an expectation that you would be little clones and think like us. I believe we get a little credit for raising you all to encourage you to think for yourselves! Sometimes we may not agree;that's never really been necessary. Remember my motto while in county government: "If we are all thinking alike, then someone is not thinking!" I really believe that. There is far too much intelligence in your brains that can benefit our country and our family to ever attempt to harness and control it for my own intent and purpose.

Please understand that this letter comes from both of us, from our hearts, intended give you an historic perspective, embedded in a sincere love for our country and pride in our family.

We love you all, Mom and Da