Reality Check

I don't mean to be a rain cloud, but I believe that our country needs a reality check. I just finished catching up on some news and it came to my attention that the individual who hung Sarah Palin in effigy in California was trying to sell part of his display on ebay. I'm not going to spend a great deal of time responding to this incident. Most Americans can distinguish between a respectable Halloween display and a hate crime. However, I believe there is something bigger going on here.

All week we have been reading about the hope that President Obama has instilled in the American people. And yes, it is evident that there is an excitement in our country that typically accompanies a new leader. We all love a fresh start! Unfortunately, there are some things that President Obama will never be able to do for any of us. Let's take our friend in California for example. This is obviously a man filled with an unhealthy amount of anger. Regardless of our government officials or leaders, he cannot be made into joyful person. There are some things that simply must be done individually, and being responsible for our own attitudes and actions are two of those things. It is clear that cynicism and hatred have filled some of our neighbors for so long that they refuse to acknowledge the reality of their situation. No matter who our president is, we must choose today what we will stand for, what we will represent. If we choose hatred, then a newly elected official (no matter how promising or charismatic) cannot change that.   

It's time to wake up America. Mr. Obama is our president, but he can never be our savior. If we chose to be miserable when President Bush was in office, we will still be unhappy today, tomorrow, and every day that we choose anger over joy and hatred over forgiveness. Sarah Palin completed her job, and President Obama is doing his. It's time for us to do ours.