Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come...
America, I believe we can build on the progress we've made and continue to fight for new jobs and new opportunities and new security for the middle class. I believe we can keep the promise of our founding, the idea that if you're willing to work hard, it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like or where you love. It doesn't matter whether you're black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, abled, disabled, gay or straight. You can make it here in America if you're willing to try.
President Barack Obama
16 comments:
Couldn't be happier! Nice one, America.
I am deeply relieved. Just the Affordable Care Act alone was reason enough for me to support his reelection. Gay rights, women's rights, minority rights, social justice, foreign policy (in some ways), environmental awareness, etc. Obama isn't perfect (as you said at FB), but he stands for the right stuff.
While I am thrilled for the world's support of him as President, at the same time I am profoundly concerned over America's role of [violent] dominance for the sake of financial benefit. I don't see this changing any time soon, no matter who's President. I wonder if I will live to see it change?
Yes indeed, Goat!
I'm relieved too, Ruth. All the social justice, equality and environmental things, yes, of course. But the foreign policy issue is massively difficult. However, he's committed to pulling out of Afghanistan. The tinder box is going to be Iran. I think there are other issues here rather than '[violent] dominance for the sake of financial benefit': nuclear proliferation, the threat to Israel, the threat from Israel etc. At least I feel safer than with Romney at the helm!
I too am pleased that reason prevailed - I am so glad that he won another term in the White house - he deserved to.
What an incredible relief, Robert! Many of us have been hopelessly depressed for months over hatred, vitriol, and dishonesty of the Republican presidential and senatorial campaigns. With the results of last night's election, however, I now have renewed faith in the future of the country. The war is not over, but we have won some great battles. Most importantly, the demographics of the country have permanently shifted, and that alone will force the Republican party to become more tolerant and more inclusive if it wants to remain a significant political force in American politics.
Yes, the Republicans just looked so backward-looking and out of step, didn't they?
Sad that many pin their hopes to a man who escalated the Bush killing doctrine. Sadd to that in his acceptance speech we heard even more appalling American specialism and triumphalism.
A Reagan (of all people!) advisor said today that Presidents all do what they are told by big finance and industry.
Obama will do what he is told by Israel, despite the fact that 15 top US AND Israeli strategists say Iran is not building a bomb - but Israel has hundreds, and has attacked most of its neighbours and steals land from the suffering Palestinians. Shame on us all for this.
Yes, Anonymous, the foreign policy issues are fraught with difficulties, as both Ruth and I said. The thing is: in the American electoral system there is a stark choice between two candidates, and it can often be a choice between the lesser of two evils. I happen to believe Obama is right both ideologically and practically in his economic and social policies — though there's some hard times on the way with the impending stringency measures. Re. Israel: yes, that's a tough one, with the massive pro-Israel lobby and presence in the US.
So refreshing to see the 'minorities' getting their man elected. What a contrast to Cameron, Osborne etc. in the UK. Ecologists know that a system with greater diversity is healthier and more robust in the long term.
Gail.
Yes, I agree, Gail! Acceptance of, understanding of, celebration of diversity.
Coming and living in Argentina, South America, I have complaint in several occasions about the fact that every time we have elections and the politician elected is not from the same group as the one in charge at the moment, all things done drastically changed once the new starts, and most of us, electors welcome this action. The new one wants to start everything from scratch, ignoring what the previous has done and we are starting and starting and starting all over again all the time (which all of us -O´Donohue fans!-know is somehow ok) but for a country four years is nothing. So if we believe that the intentions our politicians have are good, and the esence of the decisions are good, even when as Obama said, the road is hard, and even when we can not agree with all the decisions taken in all aspects of driving a country, I really think a chance to continue has to be given.
We all know things take time, I am glad to see that Americans have been able to allow time to make things happens in these "immediacy" and "results driven" societies we all live in.
(I know nothing about politics, just clarifying!).
Hugs from Buenos Aires.
Thanks, Cris, for your long and interesting comment. Yes, eight years will give Obama far more of a chance than four years.
Let's just hope Obama realizes that Israel is not a fair player in today's world and will use the US to make gains for it's own purpose. They are one reason for the tension in the Middle East. They have made life for people in Palestine a sad scene.
Pray no war spills out as the US is provoked by unidentified sources or so called allies!! Drone attack is just the first step. Stay cool America! Focus on creating markets and products not war.
Agree with you, Heidrun.
so, so grateful on this side of the pond. i wasn't reading nate silver's blog as were many others so i didn't have the confidence they did, but so happy now that obama has 4 more years to finish what he started and accomplish his goals.
Yes, perhaps we all should have believed Nate Silver! (Though, of course, had we done so, this fact alone might have altered turnout and narrowed outcome. Fascinating.)
(I'm saying 'we' but I'm a UK citizen — yet I felt so involved!)
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