What better day to launch my new blog than on Election Day?!  So for my very first post, I would like to discuss this day in history, and what it means for our country’s future.

Today I cast my vote, along with an estimated 130 million Americans exercising their democratic freedom.  It’s humbling to be a part of such a pivotal moment in history.  The polls are still open at this moment, and the election is still in the air, even though many people, including Karl Rove, President Bush’s chief of staff (aka “Bush’s Brain”) predicts a landslide win for Obama.

No matter who wins the election, we will make history.  If Obama wins, he’ll be the first African-American in the White House.  It McCain wins, he’ll be the oldest elected president, and we’ll have our first ever female vice-president, Palin.

With such a polarized nation, civil unrest is a possibility, and according to upi.com, police stations across the United States are beefing up plans to prepare.  I heard on the radio that Kansas City police are preparing for whatever might happen.  Some of the people here in Kansas that oppose Obama strictly because of his color scare me – I know one person in particular that calls him a terrorist and a socialist, and claims that he will be the downfall of our country.  Not for one second can I begin to understand where those accusations come from.  There is no truth to them!  It’s people like this that will tear our nation apart.

I, along with 62% of voters in the exit polls, see the economy as the top issue facing our nation today.  I have personally experienced the raised credit card interest rates, job losses, and higher cost of living.  I feel fortunate to have what I do, but as a college student working only part time, I have felt the strain.  However, I’m more optimistic than most in thinking that our economy will turn around much more quickly (especially if Obama is elected).

So, I’d really like my first post to be interactive and show the perspectives of my readers as well.  Would you please answer the following questions in a comment (you can be anonymous if you choose).

Questions:

1. What do you consider to be the top issue facing out nation today?
2. How do you think we can turn the economy around?
3. Who would you like to see be elected president, and why?
4. Do you believe there will be civil unrest?
5. Other remarks?