>>>>>>>Now comes the hard part....
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I'm looking forward to the upside. The word 'historic' is being thrown around a lot, but I think it is fitting.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The one part of the Obama phenomenon that has always disturbed me (though the cause is in fact 'historic' ) he is always referred to as 'Black' rather than the more accurate 'bi-racial' and this itself is the legacy of Jim Crow - the 'one-drop' rule. His personal story is even more compelling if seen in it's true context and makes his role as a 'bridge' and a 'uniter' more believable. I guess because of my own life experiences and the makeup of my own family I am more focused on issues of culture and don't really see race as a meaningful distinction. And I see younger Americans looking at the world more that way - where skin color is closer to eye color on the scale of things that are important and people gravitating to each other based on cultural commonality. Obama represents that beautifully and I look forward to that example being a bridge to the future. Also, interestingly, this flies in the face of the kind of identity politics that have become the mainstay of the Democratic base and I hope it leads to his guiding his party in a better direction.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Change is coming. And I think some surprises along with it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I hope everyone who voted against Obama will now give him the respect, cooperation and, when necessary, loyal opposition the President deserves. I think many on the Left behaved mindlessly and shamefully toward Bush (as others sometimes did toward the more eager-to-please Clinton) and it would be just as ugly if the Right does it to President Obama. There really are things more important than politics and polarization.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Country first.
>>>>>
>>>>>Charles,
>>>>>
>>>>>I agree that the fact that President elect Obama is bi-racial is remarkable. I also hope that all of the country can get behind him now and have hem truly be OUR president. We need to disenters to be vocal and active in process that is about to begin. Our country need change but not blind change, we need to have all of the voices heard and I am very hopefull that our new president will be able to bring the parties together and perhaps we can have some historic changes occur over the next few years. I am usually not very talkative about political issues but in this situation I truly hope we have begun a process of change that will be remarkable. As you stated above, Country first!
>>>>
>>>>I agree.
>>>
>>>Could you or anyone else in this agreement specify now what kind of "historic changes" are supposed to come, or at least what kind of historic changes should come? Naturally enough, it would be interesting to see wider selection of answers just to compare that this "agreement" is really an agreement, so I deliberately send this reply to few posters, not just to you.
>>
>>Ok. I'll start out with two of the things I would like to see change. It's no surprise to anyone who has read my posts that I personally believe that every single American should be required to serve 2 years in public service. That doesn't have to be the military. It can be the peace corps, civic service, or many other options. Also, for those jobs which have an unusual risk: firemen, police, military, etc, I think every single person who serves in those roles should have guaranteed free college. Not just a small $ amount to apply towards college. But guaranteed tuition at the college of their choice (should they be accepted). That obviously must come from tax dollars. I am ok with that. Ideally, every single citizen would be able to attend college or a technical school or an apprentice paid for by our tax dollars. I am also ok with universal healthcare as long as it is managed well and still allows for r&d. Healthcare and education are two things I am willing to pay tax dollars towards because it would apply to every citizen. That would do more in the long run to prevent poverty in this country than giving money directly or giving those in poverty free housing in government subsidized buildings.
>>
>>I know not everyone agrees with me. That's ok. But you did ask. :o)
>
>Thank you. So your points are: 2-year mandatory service, free college and free medicine for everyone. Personally (i.e. as a part of "rich"), I stand to benefit greatly from this program (mandatory service will hopefully not applicable to me due to age restrictions): currently I have to pay full for college and medicine, while "working families" get it already free. It is a kind of redistribution that I could welcome if I would also believe (as one poster said recently) in Santa and Fairy Tooth.

:o) Exactly. It won't happen. I know that. There are other changes I would like to see happen in areas where I lean left and some to the right, but given that in those changes whereI lean VERY VERY to the right, I don't see them as even a remote possibility. I would like to see our foreign assistance dollars cut at least in half but ideally gone completely. The only foreign aid in dollars we should spend is for health and medical aid to 3rd world countries or where genocide is ocurring and to countries who have suffered a traumatic event such as devastating hurricanes and earthquakes, etc. I also lean very very right in defense. Free trade needs drastic changes. Ok, I'll stop.

Just to be clear (for those who know me or have read my posts), I am not playing the devil's advocate on this one. Those really are my views.