President-elect Barack Obama

Congratulations to Barack Obama for winning the Presidency of the United States. Obviously it is a historic moment in the history of the nation. I'll be honest, I never thought I'd see a black man as president this soon. I truly believed one would be elected in my lifetime but just not yet. So hats off not only to Obama but to most the American people for voting color blind and voting for the man.

Obama and the Democrats have been handed control of the White House and Congress for the next two years. Much has changed in the last eight years since the last Democratic administration. When Bill Clinton left office the economy was stronger and the federal government had a surplus. After eight years of George Bush, the economy is in shambles and the deficit is monstrous. The new administration and Congress have a monumental task ahead. They must try to bring the economy back to stability, look for ways to hold back government spending and restore consumer confidence.

Just as important as the economy is the continued prosecution of the War on Terror. First and foremost is cleaning up the mess in Iraq. If nothing else, the Iraqi blunder will stand forever as Bush's legacy. It falls on Obama to prudently pull scale back the military presence and refocus the war in Afghanistan.

Obama and the Democrats ran on a message of change and against the Republicans in office and tied them to President George Bush's administration. The American people listened and voted for change. Now Obama and Congress must deliver. They were handed power unchecked. If they don't succeed and make some kind of visible progress on the economy, the voters most likely won't hesitate for change once again. A new Congress could come in two years from now in Republican hands.

I wish and pray for nothing but the best for the new President. Not only for my good but the good and strength of our wonderful Republic.

One final thought and it's probably not a popular one. In fact I haven't seen it addressed anywhere. Much is made about Obama bringing out the black vote. I applaud everyone who votes. Especially those that don't or wouldn't have voted unless Obama ran.

What I haven't seen discussed is the reasons why many (not all, obviously) blacks voted for Obama. Did they simply vote for Obama just because he was black? Did they look at the issues and stances of both candidates and make a decision? Or was the color of Obama's skin the sole basis for voting for him? I understand the historical reasons of his election but I find it apalling that someone would vote for the man only because he's of one's race. I find it just as offending as someone voting against the man based on his skin color.

Unfortunately no one has the courage to undertake a study on both issues: how many voted for Obama cause he's black and how many voted against him because he's black. I would be very interested in seeing the numbers. I think it would be very telling about our society and how long we still have to go in race relations and understanding.