Why I am not too concerned

[Goatnapper'96]

My mother told me frequently of the night she cried when LBJ trounced Goldwater. She feared for the country because LBJ was such a socialist and whatnot. My parents were very typical right wing Benson mormons. They were members of the John Birch Society and really politically active with all the paranoia that the end was nigh and that a future fight with the godless Commies would usher in Gog versus Magog. You know what? Eventually, everything turned out ok. The Great Society created issues IMO and I happen to believe LBJ was as close to a demogogue as any President this country has had, but the underpinnings of the American way of life are fundamentally the US Constitution, a vibrant civil society that embraces capitalism and free speech, and legitimacy in America's political and financial institutions. America is amazingly strong. In fact this election demonstrates the American dream is still achievable. A man born as a poor black child just defeated an entrenched American elite.

Those of us whose side lost can whine about the "par" wanting to take our money or that everyone else is stupider than we are, but fundamentally I still believe the core pillars of the American way of life are still vitally strong. A black man has now elevated himself to President of the United States. Perhaps it might not be the black man I would have chosen, but for many Americans who have long struggled to totally grasp the legitimacy and faith many of us have in our embedded institutions, this will propel them a bit closer. I think that is a good thing. Perhaps Obama's policies might hinder our vibrant civil society, time will tell but similar to the Great Society the policies can be reversed and probably won't be as damaging as many of us are predicting. Further, Obama is inheriting a mess and with our devotion to free speech his every move will be scrutinized and compared to his promises of Camelot. I hope he and his cronies don't use racism as a shield for the criticism that is coming his way. Conservative talk radio got a shot in the arm like no other yesterday.

In the end I still believe in the American dream and while Obama wasn't my man, I am proud that the fundamental underpinnings of our way of life were exonerated. Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

I think we also invented fake hooters in this country, that is pure genius innovation right there. We can survive another Great Society!