We ALL Have a Lot of Work to Do

Next week I suspect that Senator Barack Obama will be elected President of the United States. To be sure this will be a historical event in that the Senator has African ancestry...as well as European. For me, the racial aspect is insignificant. I think that what will be truly historical about an Obama presidency will be leadership specifically designed to aid America through the transition from a 20th Century Cold War paradigm into something that will provide our great grandchildren with real freedom, real national and personal independence, and above all, real security. Further, if I am correct, the other, perhaps more important result of an Obama administration will be that each and every American will be called upon to learn about leadership and exhibit it.

Due to the our excesses, both our own and our parents, we as Americans have stumbled our way into a mess of epic proportions. We have used far too much of the world's resources. We have lived far over and above our means. This is not "blame America," this is just fact. An Obama presidency will be a call for us to face reality and fix the problems that face us.

However in order for us to face these problems we must grow above our collective past. One of the problems we must grow above is fear. Fear of other Americans of other races to start. Fear of what the world will be like if we are not the only "SuperPower." Fear of changing our standard of living. Fear of not living in a "Me First" society.

Think about it. Do we really need to have 3 cars in one family? Do we really need a television in every room of the house? Do we really need to buy the amount of clothing we buy? Do we really need to do any of the things we do now, if it will create a negatively impact the lives of Americans yet to be born?

We will all have to ask ourselves what is really important.

I love my country. I believe that our collective future can be bright. But I believe that what Barack Obama and Joe Biden will usher in will be a new "Conservatism," if you will. A Conservatism based on saving. A national security built upon every American constantly learning new things so that we will be the first to come to a global marketplace with new and better goods and services. A national security based on consultation, cooperation, and trade. Does this vision element a need for a strong military defense? Of course not, but think about it. A nation, above all else needs oil to fight. Why not reduce the sources of conflict, thereby reducing the need for conflict, and and as a result save resources natural, capital, and most importantly, human?

I believe this is change. I believe in this kind of change. I believe that Barack Obama will lead us all to be agents of this change. And I can't wait. But we will all have a lot of work to do.