Yes, We Did
ÂÂWe supercharged the world last night with the election of Barack Obama. Not only did we reclaim our hopes and dreams for the 21st century, we took a giant step in restoring our moral authority in the world. That hope was etched on the faces of all those who watched longingly throughout the evening hours, whether they were in Chicago, Times Square, outside the White House gates, in the villages of Kenya or in the ballroom of the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis.
Many thoughts came to mind amid the tears of victory. Each Election Day, we put ourselves and our democracy to the test. You see, our country, like no other, is built on this “crazy†idea—one that should never work. It’s the idea that “all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.†Â
Whenever we stand up to the ancient enemies of mankind: greed, hatred, division, fear, and injustice, we restore the soul of our nation. We did it last night as the world watched and urged us on. They rejoiced with us, because they too want to believe in the goodness of America.
Carl Sandburg was right when he wrote, “We are Americans, nothing like us ever was.†Â
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A day to stand proud
Yesterday was a day to stand tall and proud in our nation. I challenge anyone to tell me they didn't have a little tear in their eye when they heard Barack Obama's acceptance speech.
I began to think I wouldn't live long enough to see Missouri once again have a slate of Democrats elected to office, but we did good.
I remember as a kid during the days of Senator Stuart Symington and Speaker of the House Dick Ichord, a Republican didn't stand a chance to get elected to anything. It has taken a long time for the pendulum to swing back our direction.
Perhaps the most disheartening thing that has happened to us recently has been the loss of respect our nation has suffered around the world. We are finally on the way to regaining our place in the world. Let us not forget how it happened.