Please Stay Tuned

History was made last week when Barack Obama became the first African-American President of the United States. For many, both black and white, young and old, rich and poor, this is truly a momentous and inspiring moment in our nation's history.  I feel overwhelmingly blessed and fortunate, like many others, to be a part of that moment. While all of this is absolutely breathtaking to behold, we, as a people, as voters, as citizens, cannot let this be the endgame. 

Now that we know that we have the ability to make a great change in our nation with just one vote, we also need to be aware that as a taxpaying citizen of the United States, you hold more power than you might actually believe. In such turbulent times and with the face of our country in transition, we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent, and to allow lobbyists and bureaucrats to dictate the path that our country follows.

We have to assume the responsibility now of educating and making ourselves aware of the policies and laws that are being passed in Congress. A major flaw in our country is that its citizens are primarily in the dark when it comes to the decisions that our government makes on our behalf.  We need to stay engaged to ensure that our voices are heard. 

When you feel concerned, write your local senator or representative. We must remember that our Congress works for us, and not for oil companies, or credit card companies, or banks, or insurance companies, but us. Let your voice be heard, and do not hesitate to let these representatives know that without your vote, their seats are vulnerable. They spend millions of campaign dollars to market themselves and develop a relationship with you, so we have to guarantee that they are maintaining that relationship even after they are voted into office.

In this election, there were more people volunteering to work the phones, knock on doors, and donate their hard earned money to the candidates that they felt embodied their perspectives than in any other election in history. This election has opened our eyes to the fact that our vote actually counts, and in a big way. It has also shown us that we have the power to make a true change in our country, and furthermore, in our communities.

In a nation where families that work hard and pay their taxes are losing their homes, our elders are living in residences with no heat, and children are going to schools that are not giving them the knowledge that is vital to their success, we need to use our power to give our fellow neighbor a hand. We have the power to stand up to companies and tell them that we will discontinue our patronage if necessary, we have the power to volunteer with organizations that truly make a difference in our communities, and we have the power to attend meetings and influence school boards, regardless if we have children or not, to ensure that our future generations are being given the tools that are necessary to be prosperous and victorious.

It's a week after the election and the small fight has been won, a change is officially coming.  But the larger fight has yet to begin, and it will not involve a governor, or a senator, or even the President, but it will involve us, the average American. Although he has lost his Presidential bid, Senator John McCain advised our nation in such a moving and profound way when he instructed us to: "Fight for what's right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people. Fight for our children's future.  Fight for justice and opportunity for all.  Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.  Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight."