Final Pre-Election Thoughts

I don’t agree with everything that any man does—none of us are perfect. This election cycle, however, I am proud to have once again supported Barack Obama for President of the United States.

We have taken two unfunded wars, shut one down and began the transition out of the second. 

We have avoided further nation building in the Middle East.

We have pressured nations like China to continue to improve human rights and conditions for its people, and we have pressured for women’s equality worldwide.

We have laid the foundation for a strong healthcare system that can keep us from worrying about whether we can afford to treat ourselves in dire situation.

We have turned the worst economic crisis of our times on its heels, all the while weathering the downturn of the European Union.

We have turned our auto manufacturer’s into globally competitive producers.

We have repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

We have strengthened alliances and proven to the world that we aren’t the bumbling mess we seemed to be, even with Congress being effectively a joke.

We have hugely expanded opportunities and opened doors to students.

And so many more accomplishments, but of course there have been pitfalls. Most notably, the indefinite detention clause of the fiscal year 2012 NDAA was a nasty story for sure, though it only re-affirmed the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force that was already in place, it still shouldn’t have been an issue, though I place the blame of that upon Congress at this point. The President should have never been in a position where that piece of legislation was on his desk—our representatives have failed us in so many ways though, it’s little surprise.

In reality, though, my life has changed little. Aside from the fact that I actually have employment prospects post-graduation, the world has continued to turn and I’ve lived as happily as I ever have. The difference is—now—I have a man in office that affirms that I am a person regardless of the fact that I am gay, and that has extended opportunities for my baby sisters to access college and escape poverty. Our economy is recovering, albeit slowly, though I continue to emphasize that this is going to be a incremental, global recovery. 

It’s time we begin to view ourselves globally in this country, and we have a President that is positioning us so that we can truly do that. It’s not time to lead and police the world, it’s time to talk and become partners, and I believe we’re doing that.

Gay rights have expanded, prohibition is marching towards its end, the post 9-11 wars are coming to a close, private sector jobs are growing again, and future prospects don’t seem dark as before. We’re doing a damn fine job thus far, let’s keep to it and make even more progress over the next four years. Why oh why would you want to go back now?

Onwards!

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