US post Election

Its been almost two full weeks since the United States elected Barack Obama into the White House.
I fully intended on posting a commentary on this whole campaign and its results much earlier. However, I wanted to take some time to process everything before commenting.
First, I want to discuss the outcome of the election. Then I will attempt to make sense of some of the propositions that were on the ballot.

Firstly, wow. A first for the United States. I watched some of the election coverage, leading up to Obama's speech. As the cameras panned around the crowds, I was overwhelmed by the passion and emotion that so many Americans were celebrating with. It was refreshing to see how passionate people can be about politics, and the ability to vote for their country's leader.

It was inspiring to see Jesse Jackson crying on international television, on the day that his dreams were realized. Way to embrace change.

But. You knew there was a but coming. There always is. When progress is made for one group of civilly denied citizens, another group gets kicked. It took African Americas 40 years to even get close to feeling equal. 40 years.

I'm still having problems wrapping my head around all of the propositions that were on state ballots. There was one about the use of stem cells for research, one defining when a fetus becomes a person, whether pot should be de-criminalized, on hiring immigrant workers, ending affirmative action, allowing video lottery terminals, and allowing doctor assisted suicide. Each proposition boils down to a moral issue. Is it right to allow doctors to assist with a terminally ill patient's right to choice death? It is right to hire immigrant workers? It is right to use stem-cells for research purposes?

If you've been following the election coverage in the United States, or watch a mainstream news outlet, you know I have purposely not mentioned a proposition that was on the ballot in four states (Arizona, Florida, Arkansas and California). I am referring to the measures of allowing a ban on gay marriage, and a ban on gays to adopt children.

There have been multiple protests across the United States, in each major city in California. There's protesting on both sides. Sometimes at the same location. How challenging that must be for both sides. I'm actively trying to not let myself get personal and emotional in this posting.

For example, in California, their Supreme Court ruled that same sex marriage is legal. However, the people of California disagree. In this case, who's right? Who's choice makes same sex marriage legal? Is it the law makers? Or the people who put the law makers into power?

For an inspiring commentary on California's passing of Proposition 8 by Keith Olbermann
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkOR7LVbdx0
This commentary is incredibly persuasive as it tells a tale of historical marriage legislation.Keith Olbermann's balance of facts, religion and emotion is incredibly inspiring. Its good to know that in the mainstream newsmedia reporters are allowed to express their personal opinions.

(Source: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/ballot.measures/)

I tried very hard to not post a rant about the direct impact of the ballot measures. Its hard to not get wrapped up in the emotions that are attached to this issue.

On Novemeber 2nd, Americans voted for change.
I respect the right to vote and express your opinion. I was just sadened by the results.