This election season may have come to a close, but unlike other elections, the change has not come completely into fruition as of yet. Of course the people have spoken and thank God, the more logical choice prevailed.

This was not only a victory for the African-American community but the American community who saw that this country was headed in the wrong direction.

For me, the choice was not about race; it was about competence and vision. Seeing the incompetence and disregard for the greater good of the American people that was exhibited by the Bush administration was what I believe led to Obama’s historic win.

America deserves a leader who can inspire, who can complete thoughts during press conferences, and someone who can think rationally. Barack Obama’s win was not a selfish win. His win was for the millions like me who want to see our troops get out of Iraq and those who are tired of the poor and middle class being forgotten.

The Republican loyalists who don’t see anything wrong with this country and how we are viewed around the world need to take off the blinders. The bitterness I have seen in the people of this state since the day after Election Day is astounding. The rampant lies, accusations and names that were thrown at our 44th president during the past six months are the kind of things that stick with the misinformed, easily swayed public.

In this time of economic crisis, all Americans need do what we can to support not only our next president but also our fellow brothers and sisters. Our voices were heard loud and clear on Nov. 4, but until things really change, we have to keep on talking.

We have to make it known to our senators and our representatives that we have problems that need to be solved. If we do nothing, we are saying our votes were cast in vain. Being bitter because your candidate lost is not only unpatriotic, it’s also being stubborn and unwilling to reason. How quickly have we forgotten that it was these same attributes displayed by our 43rd commander in chief that led to an unmerited war and the tarnished reputation we have in the eyes of the rest of the world?

I write this letter for one reason: to ask those reading to stop the partisan fighting. Stop the finger-pointing and do something to help our country get back on track. The Republican base needs to take the blinders off and see that “real America” is everywhere, not just in the predominately Caucasian areas Sarah Palin spoke to. There is but one America … The United States of America. We all, regardless of color or political affiliation, need to realize that our government works for us and not the other way around. When our government is wrong, we need to make it right. I sincerely hope that the change we wanted will be the change we receive.

- Jason Etheredge, Springfield

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