Obama's Victory Speech A Welcome Return To American Ideals

Hello and welcome to the Think Tank.

It has certainly been a while since our last post but with the recent election I feel it is important that the Think Tank becomes active once again. Time-permitting, I hope to get the Think Tank up and running like it used to be.

I started watching the election coverage at 5:00 PM last night and did not stop until I knew who my president was. In my college endeavors and discussions with other young students it was painfully clear that few people really understood what was at stake in this election. Roe v Wade's (potential) overturning, the overturning of Obamacare, the re-implementation of trickle down economics, and the continued social stratification of our society were all in the line of fire.

Ideals aside, those around me had a very important point. It is all too easy to get lost in our political system. There is a lot of mud, plenty of dirt, and too much bickering for anyone to stay positive. I watched as many of the people around me became further and further disenfranchised with democracy. They could not understand how they fit into our political system. They could not see how they could possibly be heard through all of the shouting. They could not see who they were fighting for or why they had to fight so hard. Last night, regardless of political affiliation, the President heard those voices and gave us an answer.

President Obama explained that,

"If you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turned out at our rallies and crowded along a rope line in a high school gym, or saw folks working late in a campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, you'll discover something...

We want our children to live in an America that isn't burdened by debt, that isn't weakened up by inequality, that isn't threatened by the destructive power of a planet...

We want to pass on a country that's safe and respected and admired around the world...

We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant America open to the dreams of an immigrant's daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag"

Did you catch the theme?

This election was not about us. It was about our children. And there is no room for wavering, no room for rolling over, and no room for giving up when your child's future is at stake. The election may be over, but our lives go on. We do not get the opportunity to vote every day, but every day we do have a choice: to roll over, or to stand tall for something and work toward a better future for our children.

Now, more than ever, is the time to heed Obama's words and stand for what you believe in. Live for your ideals. And join together for another four years.

Post thoughts/comments below.