Today is a new day in this country.
On the last inauguration day, I was crabby, grumpy, the winter of my discontent. Each time George W. Bush was elected, I grew depressed, unhappy, embarrassed of my country. I spent hours on Sorry, Everybody, reading the apologies of Americans who couldn't usurp Bush and the responses of the world.
Today we say "hello" instead of "sorry." It is my fervent hope the world begins to see America as a humble world citizen instead of an arrogant, overfed superpower.
I know one man, even a great man, can't change everything. Barack Obama will need time to learn, time to grow, time to make mistakes. He WILL make mistakes. He's green. His attitude, though -- that's what gives me strength. A president's relationship with his constituents is much like a marriage. You choose as wisely as you can, you hope for the best. Both of you make mistakes, hurt each other's feelings intentionally or unintentionally, but the best guarantee of success is the attitude you each bring to the table. As long as you promise to respect and trust in each other, everything will be okay. I didn't feel respected by the last president. I didn't trust him. I didn't think he had my best interests in mind.
I don't particularly care if Obama has Rita Arens' best interests in mind. I care that he has the best interests of the country as a whole in mind. I am doing okay. I still have a roof over my head, a job to give me health insurance and a salary. I have a school for my daughter to attend that is accredited and safe. Not everyone in this country has those things, and I expect Obama to work to raise the tide that bears all ships. I will support him, even if he has to raise my taxes or cut my pet programs to do so. It's time to make life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness indelible rights again. I believe this man has these priorities. I don't know for sure, but I believe in him.
My daughter will go to kindergarten in the fall, and she'll see the faces of the presidents on the walls around her. I'm glad she'll see a new kind of face this year. I hope in the years to come she sees the face of a woman, as well. But for now, I'm really glad she'll see this face. Hello, everybody. We have a new leader of the free world.
