To Our New President-Elect

To President-elect Barack Obama,

Congratulations. I, a guy that voted for your opponent, really truly mean it when I say it. Congratulations on winning the most powerful position on the face of the earth. I wish you good luck, and I pray that God guides you through what will be the most intense, draining, and challenging 4 – 8 years of your life. 

You are a better man then most for stepping up to this challenge, and while I disagree with many of your positions, I will still respect and honor your place as President. But at the same time, I will exercise my right, as a citizen of this great country, to question every decision that you make. 

However, I will do absolutely nothing that at all mirrors what people have done in blatant disrespect of our out-going President. 

And now to everyone on both the losing, and winning sides of this election. 

It’s over. The people have spoken, and the winner has been decided. 

During this campaign, I saw some of the most despicable behavior on both sides. However, I hope that we can really “grow-up” and respect each other as citizens of this great nation, working through one of the most difficult times in recent history. 

All ready, I’ve seen some pretty horrible comments directed at people in my party. Yes, some of those people made horrible comments to you back in ’04. However, if you really want to make this work, I say that you drop the attitude and condescension.  Be the grown up, and either ignore it when some ignoramus says or does something out of line, or in a very controlled manner, correct them.  No yelling.  No spitting.  Just call them out and explain to them that they are embarrassing themselves and this nation with that kind of behavior. And when someone like me, reaches out to shake your hand, and says “Congratulations”, don’t throw in some snide comment. 

Like I said above. We are facing a challenging enough world. And no progress is going to be made if we resort to silly and asinine behavior just because we perceive the “other guy” to be “inept” or a “bigot” (when in all honesty, you know that he is nowhere close to bigotry). 

The ball is now in your court. You have it, and you can either totally screw things up by acting like the children that people on my side have painted you to be, or you can really unite this country with honor and respect. 

But this back-biting, uninformed, and malicious nonsense needs to stop. With the election of this new President, we have that opportunity. I suggest you take it. Both Republicans and Democrats. Both Obama supporters and McCain supporters. Take the high road, and I PROMISE you, both camps will be pleased with the results.

Respectfully,

A Republican Voter

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