Today was a huge day. For everyone. Whether you loved or hated Bush, whether you voted Hillary, Obama, or McCain, whether you live in Ghana or Germany; today affects everyone. Today was a day that I will never forget. Today was a day that inspired me. Even though I was in class today, we watched the Inauguration.
I was honestly moved. Never have I been this excited for the future and all of the possibilities that lie ahead. This was the first election I had ever voted in, due to the fact that I am only recently legal, and I really felt like I was part of something personal and bigger than myself. Bigger than all of us. Obama’s speech was beautiful. It made me feel like I have endless opportunities open to me now.
Politics only really caught my interest once I entered college. These past couple of years I have been absolutely infuriated about the environment, the economy, foreign support, government scandals, and anything else you could think to name. Sometimes I felt so small and helpless with the way things were going. However, this morning, once he was sworn in, I felt like I had real power. After all, I love America and it is a country full of great people, but sometimes I lost faith. It took five dollar a gallon gas in some places to convince people to drive more fuel efficient cars. I had to pay over $500 this year for my college textbooks.The cost of tuition goes up every year. I worry about the education my younger sister is getting in public school. I worry about how I will pay for school. I worry about species like the polar bear and the panda. I worry about the immensely fast industrialization rates of China and India related to pollution and the environment. I worry about corporate leaders and how they will spend their budget or treat their employees. I worry. A lot.
But this morning, I felt lighter. I felt like change was coming, for the better. I know just as much as anyone that change will not come overnight. It will most often be slow and challenging, but I’m more ready than I’ve ever been. Obama is a man that I would choose as an ambassador to foreign countries. I would choose him to lead our military. I would choose him to handle the financial crisis in our economy. So, I guess that means I would choose him for president.
Now, I feel like I can dream bigger. I can join the Peace Corps. I can help rehabilitate orangutans in Borneo. I can dream of being an animal cruelty investigator or studying abroad. I can dream of being a writer. Not only can I dream it, but I feel like these dreams are actually tangible. I’m excited for what is to come. Prospects of solar, wind, and wave energy keep me up late at night. The melting of the ice caps appear in my sleep. I’m ready to experience the same feelings of accomplishment that I felt this morning and on election night. I can’t wait to see the progress in our country and around the world. I can’t wait to be a part of it.
