The November end of this year's presidential and local elections has taught me that playing well with others is a lesson worth learning, both in preschool and in politics.  And while we make progress, more political, ideological, and even spiritual struggles motivate voters into activism. 

The bad news is one election cycle will not resolve every one of the state and country's problems.  And the good news is, with rare exception, the result of one election puts a semi-colon at the end of issues, not a period.  Maybe the nomination of Barack Obama places an exclamation mark at the end of this historic presidential race.  But in another four years, Democrats and bridge-builders everywhere may end that nomination process with a question mark.  We will have to wait and see. 

The point is the work of equality and democracy beckon, and lessons remain to be learned from this incredible, historic season.

As national politics go, our nation's leaders should understand the Bush-era lessons:  the White House should not equally jeopardize the nation's infrastructure and the country's safety by waging ill begotten wars in foreign nations, while trashing the Constitution, opening a heinous torture chamber, turning its back on a nation's city during crisis, and lastly, violating the public's trust by decimating the economy.

Histories will of course be written as to how the Obama Presidency was culturally possible. I look to my own feelings for answers.  He won my vote early, but when did he capture my heart? I've voted for plenty of politicians and I really liked some of them - but this is different.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel something close to love for Obama and his family.  It's more than slightly irrational. Symbolism is already threatening to swamp the man and I'm aware of this - but I just can't quit loving the guy, the moment and the hope he represents.  And so, as I blog my way out the door here at KPBS it's time for some soul searching...

(Photo by Tim Eckel)
I woke up this morning with a joy hangover.  Thirty- six hours of continuous smiling has taken its toll.

The American voters have spoken and their choice is Barack Obama.  All the struggle, all the marches, all the legislation has finally brought us to this day.

When the election was called at 8pm, Pacific Standard Time, I felt the tears begin to fall, and at the same moment, began receiving emails from all over the country and abroad, just a few words from each, but I marveled at the power to share this moment with long lost friends, some not seen since the late '60s.  All these years later we could find one another and say, "Yes."

My daughters called me from New York, laughing and crying, and held their cell phones up so I could hear the joyous outcry. As we talked, they described a gospel choir spilling out of a church into the streets of Brooklyn, snaking into the cheering throngs.  

Dear President-Elect Obama,

Congratulations on being named the next president of the United States. Yours was a well-run campaign, aided by the help of countless passionate supporters. You successfully captured the heart of the American people, currently so eager for the change and hope that they believe you can bring. You have already brought about one change: you will go down in history books as our first African-American president. It is yet to be seen what other changes will come with an Obama administration.

To that end, in spite of a long campaign in which you fought hard to reach the White House, the real challenge will begin in January when you take office. You have a healthy ego right now; this is understandable given your incredible victory. But despite becoming (arguably) the most powerful man in the world, yours is a position that requires the humility of service. You will be the ultimate representative; not representing a district or a state, but representing and serving an entire nation. With great power comes great responsibility, and you have a responsibility not only to your supporters and those of like minds, but also to the (nearly) half of the country that was not convinced. There are blue skies over my home state and yours, but a great part of this nation remains bathed in red.