Democracy

The above was originally published November 5, 2008 at http://barb-todayspolitics.blogspot.com/2008/11/people-have-spoken.html Well we did it!!! Barack Obama is the President elect. Tuesday night my brother called me elated that Obama took Pennsylvania. At eleven o’clock he called me excited that the new President of the United States was declared and it was Barack Obama. Our hopes and dreams had come true. As Jeff stated- it’s like Christmas! So to keep with the Christmas theme, I have taken the liberty to change Francis P. Church’s editorial, “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus”

Dear Editor—

I am a 17 year student. Some of my friends say there is no democracy in America. The big companies determine our fate. The rich dictate what we will do. We have no say and people do not want to hear what we have to say. My friends tell me that their fathers and mothers work every day and can never get ahead. Their grandparents have lost much of their life savings and are considering going back to work if they can find a job. Their parents and grandparents find it difficult to get to work because they cannot afford the gas for their car. They do not have enough money to heat their homes, put food on the table, and pay for their prescriptions. Many of my friends have lost their homes. You can see these facts,that are stated in the newspaper. People in other countries hate us. I read where the market is going up and down and we are in a recession. My father says, “If you see it in the paper, it’s so. ”Please tell me the truth, is there democracy in America?

Sincerely,

Virginia

Virginia, your friends are wrong about democracy. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see and hear from the media. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their minds. Democracy is defined in the Webster dictionary as: a government by the people, the rule of the majority. Americans do this through the election process. As depressing as the picture the papers depict, there is hope and the hope was found on November 4, 2008. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or women’s have a voice in America. Many believe their voice will not be heard on Election Day but that is not true. On November 4, 2008 the world heard the voice, a loud voice of democracy in America and they cried out with joy! Americans hearts were lifted with hope that their lives may be turned around . Yes Virginia, there is democracy in America. Democracy prevailed after a long, hard fight over the last two years. Advertisements and articles were written and heard, many were false and hurtful. Many claimed how one man would change America and take it in a positive direction. The voice of democracy and change was triumphed. For the first time in many years, the youth of America came together and showed their support for a man with vision in America. The minorities came together and voted for an individual that would give them a chance to succeed. Many Americans waited eight years for a positive change in their lives. All of this came about by a tall African American man from Illinois that had a vision for America. A vision that we can change our economy, provide health plans to all, fund and expand education, change our dependence on oil and direct us toward a green environment. This man will bring jobs back to America. This man will be a positive influence on the world. Yes Virginia, Americans have spoken loud and clear that change is needed. You, Virginia, will get this opportunity to vote when you are 18 years old.

No democracy! Thank God! It lives and lives forever in the United States of America.