Reflections of the election

For the first time since I moved here, I'm proud to live in this country. America IS great. But before this election a lot of bad, stupid and evil decisions have been made.

As a Swedish person with a big interest in this election I've gotten a lot of reactions. Many are surprised that I care. Some say that I always have Sweden so it shouldn't really matter to me, I could just move back there.

But it's not that easy. I've been living here for around five years, or is it soon six? I'm starting to build a life here. I've been living most of my adult life in this country. New York is now the place where I feel at home the most. My mom's home will always be the big "HOME", forever, because of my family. But the city and country and people that I feel most connected to is right here. This is what I live and understand now. So it's been frustrating to feel that this decision was totally out of my hands. I got no right to vote. Even though it's affecting me and my life here.

It's true though that I have the luxury to turn to Sweden if things get too hard here. It feels safe beyond words and I will always love Sweden for it's well fare, it's nature and beauty.

Those words that were used in this campaign. I'm finally realizing what it means in reality. On a personal level. For the first time I feel hope for this country. I feel hope for my life here. Some of the stress I had about going back to Sweden when it's time for kids, when I'm getting older, is finally starting to release it's grip around me. Maybe now I would actually dare to stay here where I have my life, my friends, my home. I feel hope. I feel safer. Maybe I can, yes I can ;)

(As long as frequent long trips to Sweden is possible, because being far from my family is terrifying and draining and I need them!)

The speech yesterday...I got tears in my eyes. We did it!! We really did it!! I helped the best way I could, by spreading my opinion. Big thanks to all those who got out and voted for Obama, thank you thank you thank you!

I know Americans who used to be ashamed when they traveled abroad. They wanted a big shirt declaring: I did NOT vote for Bush! Well, not anymore, now you can be proud again!

I heard a lot of weird reactions from republicans all day yesterday.

Here's a quote from a reply to me in an online discussion I took part in: "You see...you're an idealist. Idealists have all kinds of lofty goals for themselves and for everyone else, and while admirable (eliminating poverty, ending domestic and international violence, etc) sounds great, it's just not going to happen. Oh, and it's obvious you adhere to Socialist principles too (=ultra-left-wing Yahoo!!!!), which makes any statement you make utterly ridiculous and dismissible as insanity. I can care less what someone like you thinks of what I think, because your views are so far outside of the scope of plausibility, it's LAUGHABLE.."

Well since he think left wings are so laughable, I wished him a good laughter when Obama wins. =)

This is another of his lovely quotes: "What a bunch of baby whiners you dirty libs are! While you spend your life wasting your vote on vainly trying to cure all of society's ills, I'll put mine to good, constructive use that can benefit me"

(If he wants to get credit for his words I'll put his name here but not without his permission since it's taken from a somewhat closed community.)

I'm glad that the conversation turned around so we could discuss actual politics again but it's interesting to read his upset reaction to my political opinions. Because I think it's not only frustration from somebody that felt they were on their way to lose, but I also think that it comes from a big fear that this might be a way of thinking that's going to start to die out soon. Maybe I'm too optimistic, but I AM optimistic now!

Other insane things I heard from the republicans were the comparison between Obama and, of all people, Hitler!! I got told this has been an argument from the right wing through out the campaign, but it hasn't come across me until this last week. (NY is not a state that either party really cares about because it's always so obvious they will vote for the democrats)

This comparison upsets me! Why not call him for what he really is? A charismatic leader and a great speaker!! Does that make you Hitler? Was Jesus like Hitler?? Is Dalai Lama like Hitler? Come on...if that's the best you can do I'm not surprised you lost the election!!