Barack Where We Started

By the happenstance (my fake word of the day) of fate, I was about six blocks from Grant Park in Chicago on Tuesday night, when and where the whole city was happily celebrating the election of our next president. I was in town on a marketing trip and in the company of a diverse group of classmates: Republicans, Democrats and a couple of foreign students just to make it interesting. As a wholehearted conservative and less-than-halfhearted Republican, I hadn't been too thrilled about the election, but I must confess there was a tangible excitement in the air on Tuesday. Though I have significant concerns about the next four years (I would have had concerns under the old guy, too), it was fun to be on the streets that night.

A few of my classmates (particularly the foreign ones) decided to witness history and go join the madhouse in Grant Park. The rest of us jaded Americans sat it out where we were, fairly confident we wouldn't actually get to see Oprah or her appointee Barack anyway. A small part of me wishes I went. The rest of me says, "eh". I do think it is a fabulous thing that a black man was elected president. With any luck, it will have a profound impact on race relations in America and inspire more black youths to set their sights a little higher. However, if Obama is the idealist that his campaign made him out to be, I think he will be completely inequipped to accomplish anything in the White House. If not, then we have yet another principles poor predictable politicking president (how's that for alliteration!)

Either way, I think by the end of four years, this country will be as messy as ever, if not messier. How's that for a little slice of sunshine!!? On the upside, we got to see where Ronald McDonald lives while we were in Chicago, and he is alive and well. As are Coca Cola and Wal-Mart. Despite what our president says or does, the real symbols of America are moving forward with gusto. As long as that keeps up, I will stay confident that everything will be all right.