Tuesday, November 11, 2008

If you voted for McCain...

Date Originally Posted: November 5, 2008

Dear Family and Friends Who Supported McCain/Palin,

As happy as I am that Barack Obama won the election, I am also sorry for your disappointment and the pain that you might be feeling now. For as much as we disagree politically, we are still friends and I care about your feelings.

I know that many of you might think that the country is doomed, but I hope that in the coming weeks and months, as the wound of this loss heals, you will come to realize that those kinds of thoughts will doom our country much more than any man in any office could do. Clinging to resentment, fear, or anger over these election results will doom our country. What will save our country? Unity. If you can find it in your heart to get behind this new American leadership team, then we can really start to get great things done, for all of us.

If you voted for McCain/Palin because you felt that they were stronger Christians, and/or that it was your Christian duty to vote for them, I hope you will remember that the Bible tells us to pray for our leaders - not just the leaders that we personally like, but all of our leaders. That doesn't mean that you have to agree with every decision that the president makes, but it does mean that you should ask God to strengthen the president, to protect his safety and health, and to guide him with wisdom and discernment when difficult decisions are presented to him.

One thing that we can all celebrate is that we have elected our first African-American president, scarcely 40-50 years after a time when people of color weren't even allowed to sit in public places with white people. What an amazing accomplishment, and an incredible transformation for our nation! We still have a long way to go to completely eradicate racism from our country and from our hearts, but what a giant step forward we took today.

Another thing that I hope you will understand and cling to, is that things are going to be different now. For many of us who are struggling, financially and personally, that could mean better job opportunities, better education, better healthcare...new ways, new roads, new horizons for all of us. The less we fight each other and the more we unite with each other, the more likely we are to make these promises come true.

The record-breaking voter turnout sent a clear message to the world. Whether Republican, Democrat, another party, or no party at all, we are all eager for change. We are all excited to participate in this historic event. We are all ready for a new future. Some issues, you and I will never agree on. But one thing we have always agreed on and always will agree on: We love our country and we want the best for her. We can make the best happen if we find that unity of purpose that we have been able to find in times of crisis, and hold on to it this time.

Until today, McCain was your candidate; Obama was not your candidate. But today, and for the next several years, Obama is your president. Obama is our president. He achieved that office through the democratic process that you love and support. Let's show the rest of the world what they might have forgotten: The United States of America is the strongest nation on earth, a beacon of hope and a shining light of freedom to the rest of the planet, and when we stand together, there is nothing we cannot do. Please, stand with me today and for the next four years.

No comments: