Hope in Moving FORWARD!

President Obama and VP Biden, November 2012.  Photo by Pete Souza

After a long and hard fought presidential election season, President Barack Hussein Obama has been re-elected as the President of the United States of America and I am THRILLED!  Along with millions of people, I did my part to get him elected in 2008 and the second time is no different.  I am glad that in the end, community organizing, truth, and the small contributions of ordinary people, thwarted the machinations of those interested in taking the country back to the policies of the 1950's.

GOTV on election day with the Obama campaign in Richmond, VA

This was an ugly presidential election season.  The barrage of negative ads from both the Democratic and Republican camps has ushered in a disappointing new era of what to expect during future presidential campaigns.   No thanks to the Supreme Court's disappointing ruling on Citizens United .
Let's not kid ourselves, this election forced everyone to dig in on their beliefs and values.  As a woman, I am gobsmacked at the thought that some elected officials believe there is such a thing as 'legitimate rape'.  Furthermore, the apparent total disrespect for the President and his Office by the GOP, made it very clear that this election was not all about policy differences.  It had the undertone of something much uglier. 

"I am not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being." - Jackie Robinson

Well, it is over now and we have to move forward.  It is my hope that much has been learned that will cause our elected officials to put aside the bickering and partisanship to focus on what is best for the country.  This will require collaboration, compromise, effective leadership, and yes, some healthy conflict resolution.  Hmm, sounds like I should offer some organization development services to Congress.  Maybe some team and group development intervention?

As a strong Obama supporter, I have no illusions that this second term will be easier.  I do believe that we will see a modified leadership approach from the President. Our elected leaders will have to work together and those who refuse, will be dealt another shellacking in 2014.  I also hope that 'we' do our part to embrace the rich diversity of people, opinions, beliefs, and values that make living in the U.S a wonderful place to be.

We are all responsible for what happens next, not just the President and Congress.  We are responsible for what happens in our lives and how we respond to the the challenges we will face.  I encourage you to think about what personal visions, goals, dreams, and aspirations are sitting on the shelf.  It is time to dust them off, be creative, develop a strategy, and make them happen.  It takes hope and the belief that if you can see it, you can achieve it.  It will also require hard work, honesty, dedication, and PASSION!  This much I have learned is possible from President Obama's journey and I thank him for being an inspiration. love+live.life!


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Barack and I- Fired Up and Ready!

44 T-Shirt from Alabama Liberal

It's no lie, I have an enormous crush on President Barack Obama. I mean, c'mon... What woman isn't wishing they had met him before Michelle?  Who doesn't admire what he has done thus far for the country?

Presidential Swagger

Barack and I, ok, Michelle, on Election Night 2008

Contrary to what the Republican Party would have you believe, the President and his administration have a very long list of accomplishments from his first term. Some of these include:

•  Ended the war in Iraq
• Advanced women's rights in the work place
• Ended Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) in our military
• Stopped defending DOMA in court
• Passed the Hate Crimes bill
• Signed into law, the country's only National HIV/AIDS Strategy
• Appointed two pro-choice women to the Supreme Court
• Expanded access to medical care and provided subsidies for people who can't afford it
• Expanded the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Fixed the preexisting conditions travesty [and rescissions] in health insurance
• Invested in clean energy
• Overhauled the credit card industry, making it much more consumer-friendly
• While Dodd-Frank bill was weak in many respects, it was still an extremely worthwhile start at re-regulating the financial sector
• He created a Elizabeth Warren's dream agency: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• He's done a lot for veterans
• He got help for people whose health was injured during the clean-up after the 9/11 attacks
• Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare
• $1 Billion for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) that is intended to revitalize low-income communities via "Job training and placement assistance", "Financial literacy programs", etc.

The Obama Administration has accomplished these and much more in the face of GOP opposition and determination to 'make him a one term president' (giving Mitch McConnell the side eye).  So, it boggles my mind that some voters are still undecided about their choice for president.  I try to be open, but I will never get back those hours lost watching the fabrications speeches and Clint Eastwood's ventriloquy at the RNC last week.  Five days later, I can't remember what their nominee's speech was all about.  It was that memorable. *sigh*

There are stark differences between Obama and Romney, and I am not going to list them for two reasons: (1) It would take too long to type and (2) the misinformation virus spreading across the country is because people are too lazy to seek the truth for themselves.

On a more serious note, the GOP has resorted to making the truth optional in their talking points rhetoric, all the while, pushing for these voter ID laws as a tactic to disenfranchise minority and older voters.  Are we going to sit back as they and the Koch Brothers work overtime to steal the elections? Will their strategy work? This remains to be seen on November 6th.  I'll borrow from the American Express slogan for Election Day- " State ID card, DON'T leave home without it".  love+live.life