Today is my birthday. I'm 56. Fifty-six years ago on my day of birth, Eisenhower was elected. He was the first Republican to take the White House after two decades of Democratic control and the pendulum moved to the right. During his tenure the United States added Alaska and Hawaii. Eisenhower signed the United States first Civil Rights Act (The Civil Rights Act of 1957) ending the separate by equal doctrine and paving the way for the more comprehensive Civil Rights Act of 1964. But, as the country moved to the right, it feed on the fear of Communism. I can't say if the fear was founded or not, but I do remember the duck and cover drills in school and the backyard bomb shelters.
Over the fifty-six years later the pendulum has swung back and forth creating a climate where we were able to elected our first African-American President, and I for one think it's great. It was time for the pendulum to swing a little to the left. For nearly 30 years the Republicans have been in control. (I know what you're thinking-- what about Clinton... well during most of Clinton's term, Republicans controlled congress... remember Newt?) The country can move a lot to the left and still not pass center...
For all my beloved friends and family whose anxiety levels might be a bit elevated this morning on the news that Obama will move into the White House in January, take a deep breath and remember: It was a Republican that ended slavery, a Republican that signed the first Civil Rights act, a Republican that ended the Cold War.... and it will be the Republicans who will sing the pendulum back towards the center after it goes too far to the left. In the end, it is this great system of government that prevails and we are all its benefactors. Thank you all for voting. In someway, we are all winners...because of where we live and this time in history.
John McCain said in his speech last night, "Today, I was a candidate for the highest office of my country. Tonight, I remain her servant, and that is blessing enough." It is our job now, to remain her servant, to keep watch over her and take the momentum of this election and to continue to move the country forward.
3 comments:
Great post! Couldn't agree more.
There's left and then there is far, far left. I'm glad you're happy, I'm concerned but praying that Mr Obama will do a good job.
Awesome post. Im s glad that we have turned a page in racial issues and now its time to have a little hope out there and put some faith in our next president that's what America is all about.
Post a Comment