COMMENTARY: Change Is Now ... Are You Down?

Today marks an important day in history. And I'm not talking about the fact that we'll have our first minority president .... But for the first time a loooong time America has elected to change our direction ... and elect a leader who believes in us as much as we believe in him. Today, TRUE Americans will rally behind OUR new President -- Barack Obama.



By now we all know the story of how this Hawaii-born, Midwest-raised, Ivy League-educated man rose up quickly in the Illinois Senate and led the campaign of the century to become President of the United States. (If you don't know the story, go HERE).

Over the course of Obama's campaign we learned a lot about his life, his beliefs, his hope for America .. and his passion for CHANGE. We rallied behind his simple motivational phrase "Yes We Can." We learned about his amazing wife, Michelle, and his daughters Malia and Sasha ...

And for the first time (for some of us anyway) we got involved in our future, by way of the political process; and not only that ... we got our family, friends and anyone who would listen involved. We rallied behind this man to improve a country that has been devastated by the last administration and their carelessness ...

We had lost faith in America ... and in ourselves. At a time where we were (and still are) losing jobs, closing businesses, foreclosing on homes we've lived in all our lives ... at a time when all hope seemed lost -- then came Obama.



Of course we know that no one is perfect. Of course we know that Barack Obama is not a Messiah, martyr or miracle-worker. Of course we know that he can't rebuild America in four years when it took nearly a decade to tear it down. So to all the naysayers and pessimists -- we're not completely clueless.

But the difference between those who believe and those who don't is FAITH. And we have faith in him ... and we have faith in ourselves ... and we know that together, we can make change happen.



Who wasn't told by their parents, grandparents and countless teachers and mentors that you can be "anything you want to be."

Who didn't believe at the age of 7 or 8 that you could be an astronaut, race car driver ... or even President?!

Why have we, as adults, become so cynical that we'd rather harp on what may go WRONG than have faith in what could possibly go right?



Why are some of us acting so UN-AMERICAN?


We may never know the answer to that question.


And frankly, I don't have time to ponder why people wouldn't join the effort to bring about change in this country ... when the American Dream is crumbling around us ....

Nothing could make me understand being bitter, cold, heartless and prejudiced in AMERICA in the year 2009.



All I know is that today is a new day. Today is the day we waited for ... a day our ancestors gave their LIVES for.



Casting our vote was the first step in getting our nation back in order ... But today is the day we take action ....


As you watch the day-long coverage of Obama's Big Day, LISTEN to what he says ... listen to his call ... and answer it.



Our President and our COUNTRY needs us ... and I don't know about you, but I refuse to let either of them down.

My life, my future and the future of my family and unborn children depends on it. There's way too much at stake to be lazy, selfish or ignorant. (We learned that lesson by trusting the LAST administration). It's time to take a more pro-active approach (that's how this election was won!).


BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK America. Barack Obama and his campaign got the ball rolling but Change begins with YOU. Change begins today.




Are you with us?



- m