New and Used Records Endorses Barack Obama

The first presidential election I can recall in Bill Clinton's run in 1992. I cannot recall being too invested in the actual politics though I do vividly recall the excitement - namely because I was watching a lot of MTV and Clinton knew how to work MTV very well. I remember nothing of Clinton's reelection, with the exception of Norm McDonald as Bob Dole. What I remember about 2000 is being disappointed with Al Gore's campaign and casting my vote for (gasp!) Ralph Nader. Four years later, I learned the error of my ways and got swept up in the John Kerry movement, which was essentially the "anybody but Bush movement."

I told my Mom a few weeks back that this was the most important election of my lifetime. She then responded that she thought it was the most important election of her lifetime. I do believe that Barack Obama will change the world. Probably not by importing the radical left wing agenda I so dearly believe in. I do expect that Obama will often lean to the center and I am sure there will be times when I find him disappointing. I do believe, however, that Obama - for all that he stands for and for the way in which he has run his campaign - will be a catalyst for the progressive change that needs to happen in this country.

While the U.S. actually champions itself as progressive, I find this country to be seriously lagging in certain areas. This election has certainly brought the worst out into the open - and we have seen the disdainful sexism, racism and homophobia still so prevalent in this country. I know it seemed like a mistake when Michelle Obama said this was the first time she was "proud" of her country - but seeing Ohio McCain supporters denounce the democrat candidate because he's "a negro," "anti-white," "related to a known terrorist," it is frankly really fucking hard to be proud of your country. When a male presidential candidate mocks the health of the mother with regards to abortion, it is really fucking hard to be proud of your country. When a female running mate talks about cracking the glass ceiling, while hiding behind a record of consistently stripping away basic human rights - it is damn hard to be proud of your country. And when hateful individuals try to snatch away the basic human right of marriage, it is still hard to be proud of your country.

But ... when you see crowds on street corners championing the marriage rights of all, when you hear these candidates called out on their bullshit, and when you see people come together around the simple, positive message of hope - well, then, it makes you proud of your country.