As I sit here listening to the commentators discuss President Obama's Final Address to the nation, I am also trying to determine what to do after the weeks, and months, of the 2016 Election cycle. There are so many things to say regarding the Presidential Election of 2016 - I'll name a few that stick out to me: personal, brutal, rewarding, I had planned on writing a little bit about my campaign experience, but I want to take a moment (or two) and say that I am incredibly hurt, but not broken, over the ending of the Presidency of Barack H. Obama.
This administration has done a lot of good things within the past eight years. For me, one thing stands out is the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which guarantees individuals with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied coverage. This was a monumental achievement. During his tenure, he repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and was a staunch supporter of LGBT rights, including paving the way for not only the overturning of Proposition 8 in California but also the passage of Marriage Equality in all fifty states with the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act. In addition to those legal victories, he also continued to make history by nominating (and confirming) the first Puerto Rican American woman to sit on the Supreme Court. Speaking of women, during his tenure as President, he nominated and confirmed two women to place on the Supreme Court thus having the most women EVER in the history of our country to sit on the bench. His administration broke racial barriers in many different ways (besides the most important as becoming President): The first African American Attorneys General and after that the first African American woman, Other cabinet positions include Secretaries of Labor, Transportation, and Interior. It is because of these accomplishments, it makes the Obama administration the most diverse in our nation's history.
His administration was scandal-free while his family led the country with such grace & class. Furthermore, his administration's challenged the country to lead healthier and better lives. President Obama expanded the second amendment rights for gun owners to carry their weapons into national parks - Of which I greatly opposed. His administration gave the green light to the military (mainly Navy Seals) to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice. His economic wit saved the economy from going over the financial brink towards collapse. His administration has reduced the unemployment rate from 7.2% to 4.7% while creating well over 2,400,000 new jobs in multiple sectors of the economy.
All of these administration accomplishments were done with two of the most obstructive Congresses in modern history. Never in the history of the country has a Congress - mainly with the Senate - not considered a nominee for the Supreme Court; never have they not attempted to balance a budget or work with a sitting president. Simply not patriotic and I would make a strong argument that it is treasonous.
I am deeply honored to claim Barack Obama as MY President. I have been there with him every step of the way since the summer of 2017. I voted for him twice (in 2008 and again in 2012), also attended BOTH of his inaugurations. I even served in his administration as an intern for the Department of Education. I cannot begin to thank President Obama for all he has done & accomplished.
Now, during the Presidential cycle of 2016, I decided to get involved with the campaign of Hillary Clinton. I was an organizer in Buncombe County, North Carolina - the place I call home. During the campaign I pushed myself in so many ways both professional and personal. Personally, I worked on balancing the struggle of work time versus personal time. [Yes, I'm very dedicated and career-oriented...who knew?] I poured my time, energy, sweat, and blood (think papercuts, lots of them) into the campaign. I staffed events, met Senator Tim Kaine (again - and even shared a drink with him), met both President Clinton as well as his daughter Chelsea. I attended a rally in Charlotte for Hillary Clinton and I somehow made it into the nationwide political ad. I did a "call to action" rally during the final days of the election - which was both thrilling yet intimidating. As with any organizer, I called, knocked, and I did it with the strongest regional team members in the state of North Carolina. Just another reason why...#WestIsBest (and yes, I would like a gradual "wooo" and then silence<---Loved my Regional Organizing Director).
In the end, multiple things did not line up in our favor. Some of these I've learned to accept and I am able to move on...to an extent. This leads me to where we (collectively Democrats, my generation, my fellow organizers - insert whichever you think is appropriate) go from this point forward. The road will not be easy, but it will be better if we move forward as one as we are stronger together and let those that wish to set our country back feel the burn. (<---See what I did there, Jedi mind trick, us Ravenclaws love using our wit).
In a little over a week, the United States will inaugurate Donald J. Trump as its forty-fifth president. While I did NOT vote for him, the results "such as they are" have been certified by Congress and the official results nonetheless. Given his lack of moral character, his divisive and controversial language & remarks, he will still be sworn in and there is nothing I can do. He may be the next President of the United States, but he will not now nor will he ever be MY President. I respect the office, but I DO NOT respect the person who will hold it for the next four years as he has failed to gain any respect worthy of the office.
Now that I think about it, there are a lot of things I can do within the next four years:
1) I will hold his administration, his Congress and his policies under a watchful eye;
2) I will organize my county and state party to not back down while building them up;
3) I will stand up and reach out to those American that his administration will try and silence through unconstitutional laws and overreaching of his corrupt governmental tiny fingers;
4) I will continue to rebuild my party, so that in 2020, we will have a candidate who will unite all democrats in all areas of the United States;
5) I will remember the words of My First Lady and know that "when they go low, we go high" and never back down;
6) I will remain hopeful that we will prevail as a stronger nation because we will hold our leaders accountable and ensure they do their sworn duty to uphold the United States Constitution or they risk being voted out of office;
7) I will look to the future with a positive notion that history will give us a person who can surpass the accomplishments of President Barack Obama; and finally,
8) I will be grateful to call myself an Obama Democrat and will make sure that his legacy remains for generations to seek the benefits.
Will you join me? We are stronger together and together, we can believe in we can do great things by moving forward. If anything President Obama has taught me, it is that when you dream big, you can achieve anything. Thank you President Obama, your leadership will be missed and I'll be forever grateful for your Presidency. I will cherish your works and I will do my best to live up to your standards.
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