A Change is Going to Come One Way or Another

Regardless your political affiliation I think we can all agree that this election has been one of the most contested, intense and brutal battles ever waged. And that is as it should be. I wouldn't want anything less. Though I wouldn't have minded seeing less negativity, racial and social divisiveness and less lying, these things were, sadly, to be expected.

We've seen history made. We've seen a former prisoner of war, a true patriot who endured and sacrificed much in service of his country - something which no one should ever berate - move from the bottom of his party's candidates to the top spot and prove to many who wrote him off that he still has what it takes to fight, though maybe not to win.

We've seen a former first lady, now distinguished Senator, step up and tell America and the world that she has what it takes to get her party and her country back on track. We witnessed her uphill battle and we saw eighteen million people jump on her bandwagon and say "we believe".

We've seen a relatively unknown African American Senator from Illinois step up and say "yes we can!". We've seen him and heard him move millions of people, many of which would never have thought of voting either again or ever, into action. We've seen him give them hope.

It is no secret who has my vote, Senator Barack Obama. From my point of view, he has not only the freshest vision for America, but the most inclusive. He doesn't speak to the wealthiest. He doesn't hide his message of change and hope and unity behind hatred and fear while waving the American Flag. He's willing to take the hits if it means that WE THE PEOPLE, ALL THE PEOPLE, have a true chance at reaching the American Dream.

Have there been things I wish he hadn't said during his campaign? Yes, but I daresay so does he. Have there been things which I didn't originally approve of or support? Yes, and I'm not saying he's perfect. What I am saying is that he is our best chance. What I am saying is that he is an imperfect man who listens and wants to help us be the best we can be, the best we should be, the best we deserve to be.

I had the pleasure, the honor, of being at his rally in Downtown Miami this past Tuesday with a dear friend of mine. We stood in line for over an hour to get in and once we did we stood up for five more hours and while we did we noticed a couple of things. First, that among the thirty thousand people there, not one shouted negative things about john mccain. Not one shouted "kill him!" or any such despicable statement. Secondly, there was a healthy mix of people of all races, sexual orientations and income levels and they were there for one purpose, to support the TRUE candidate for change.

As for his opponent, yes I've made some pretty nasty comments about him and I won't apologize for them. However I will say this, that when the question was posed to his supporters as to why they support him and how they can do so with all that's been documented against him, NOT A SINGLE ONE could speak to this. They attacked Senator Obama, spewed venom and lies and some went on to make it personal and attack me send me emails about how I should die along with Barack and even attack my family. And while I'm sure that sort of tactic made them feel better about themselves (at least I hope it did because otherwise all it showed to me was that these are nothing but small people with no lives or souls) it still couldn't answer the questions I posed to them.

We have ten or eleven more days to go in this fight. To everyone, democrat or republican, I say this: get out and vote! If you believe that your candidate will be the leader you want him to be, the leader you need him to be, don't just sit on your sofa and shout at the television. Don't be misled by people who throw around the words "terrorist" "socialist" and "liar" without even knowing what they're talking about. Get out there and find out for yourself who the candidates are. Find out for yourself which one will best lead this country. Find out for yourself which one will TRULY provide the change we so desperately need.

Because one way or another, a change is going to come. And sitting on the sidelines or allowing yourself to be manipulated by people who have no one's interests but their own at heart, is the worst thing you can do for yourself and for this country.

A change is going to come, BE PART OF IT.