The Promise Of America

Tonight in Denver, Colorado, Barack Obama accepted his Party’s nomination for President of The United States Of America. In front of a crowd pushing more than eighty-thousand supporters Obama’s personal story was at the heart of his speech, intertwining with those American lives who watched — either live, on television, radio, or online. I’ll reproduce his views in paraphrase here with some of my own. I was blown away by his speech tonight, and realize why I’ve been behind him for two years now.

The promise of America, from those who have been here for generations to those who are new to this country, even those who plan on becoming a citizen, you are all promised one thing from this great country of ours: Each one of us can make what we want of our lives. And that’s what Obama’s major theme was tonight in Denver.

He notes that “it will be hard.” And, I agree. Hard work is what started our counrty, developed our country, and what drives our counrty to this day. And by discovering our own stories we will understand more of what America’s story truly represents. Obama seems to understand that while we can do what we want with our own lives, it’s important that we realize we are individuals and we are a nation all-in-one. That it’s imperative we have a bond with others to inspire, and help them achieve what they want in their own lives, as well as our own. We grow individually and together at the same time — building a stronger self, family, and nation. Not only is this concept American, but vital to the human condition of people around the globe.

Barack Obama, like many of us, states that he understands that the United States is a better country than we have been, and shown, for the past eight years. And I, personally, agree. We know that our government must work for us and not against us, and Obama shared that view with us tonight. He feels that the prolonged war in Iraq distracts us from the real problems we are facing at home in our own country: homelessness, inadequate pay, job loss, health care, education, and the list goes on. I feel that instead of pouring endless dollars into a war we shouldn’t be involved in, we could use that money for these issues we face on our own soil. Barack agrees. He promises us that he will, also, never hesitate to defend us. He will never hesitate to defend our country, but he’ll only send troops into harms way with a ‘clear’ mission. Barack says we need a President who will face the threats of the future, and not keep grasping the ideas of the past. Wouldn’t one think that the less money we pour into a war, the more money we’d have here at home? Or is that a stupid question?

Barack Obama says that this is no time for small plans, that eight years of them have been enough. It’s time for America to meet its moral obligations. Most importantly with ourselves, but also with other nations. And in the words of Dr. King, forty-five years after he had a dream, Barack echoed his words for the world and all of us to hear: “We can’t turn back!” We know this election is our chance to keep the promise of America alive — the promise we make to our kids everyday: that, because you are an American, you can make what you want of your life. Barack says, “We can’t meet twenty-first century challenges with a twentieth century beauracracy. That each one of us has andividual and moral responsibility to do our part with hard work and provide for each other and push change in Washington.”

Tonight he stated that John McCain should have our respect and admiration for serving his country, but more years of what our country has endured over the past eight should not be tolerated. He noted that he’s willing to debate John McCain on any issue, and in regarding who is best suited for the White House. He, however, doesn’t want any such debate to be about attacking the other person, as most debates are about. Barack Obama wants John McCain to argue the issues at hand and not revert to the norm of personally attacking the other person, or Obama’s patriotism. Barack knows that patriotism “…has no party or individual counrty. That all Americans are patriots. We all put our counrty first.”

Barack knows that many bridges divide us as Americans, and that we see differently on many issues. However he believes as most hope to believe: That we can find ways around these differences and unite. One of America’s best qualities, I feel, is the fact we are all so different. We come from different nations, speak different languages, pray to different gods, and so forth. But the best thing about it is we have not only a shared understanding of the human condition, we’ve all been promised the same thing. Freedom. Barack Obama wants to reinvigorate and reteach a nation that America can be “…that last best home for those who hear the call of freedom” — and to know that we are, freely, American.

From his early days in Chicago’s South Side, until now, Barack Obama has given so much hope to communities and people in our great nation. He had a calling to public service right out of Harvard when most of his classmates took jobs at huge fims for large sums of money and material possessions.

Barack knows he’s qualified to lead this nation into a great change to come. However, he also knows there are some who do not believe as I do. “This election has never been about me,” he said tonight, “it’s about you.”

This is a man who believes that “change doesn’t come ‘from’ Washington, change comes ‘to’ Washington.

And, to Sen. Obama I say: I’m behind you all the way.

Below is what we saw and heard tonight. Enjoy.