Sacrifice

Obama's landslide victory has left me speechless with elation. My faith in the American people is restored. They decisively chose to reject the almost reptilian reactionism of the past 7 years; choosing hope, progress, and change over fear, negativity, and a backward world view. I like most of all Obama's emphasis on sacrifice. To be sure, I believe the Bush era, politically and economically, can be characterized perhaps best by selfishness. He and his cronies believe firmly that a "me-first" attitude is what makes America and Americans strong. But I believe a world where every man is an island who cares none about others and only wants to protect himself and those he loves, is a very bleak and lonely world. I also believe that this might be their objective. Lonely people, who have little hope or sense of community spend their days stuffing themselves with stimulation: more tv, more food, more movies, more alcohol, more sex, more travel, and on and on. Thus, capitalism thrives! But the great challenges of our age--global warming, dependence on foreign oil, and disaster capitalism-- can only be solved if people begin to live in moderation and with a stronger sense for their duty to be more responsible citizens. Yes, this requires less consumption, more thoughtfulness, in a word: sacrifice. Obama, I believe, has inspired me and many millions more to make those sacrifices.