Happy Obama Day!

While I think Barack being elected is a great thing for the U.S.A., I wonder about the pressure that he now holds on his shoulders. It's not going to be an easy ride, that's for sure. But with so much hope for change, can one person uphold this ideal? I look around at the ballot measures and realize that we -- as a society -- still run scared of differences. Proposition 8 in California looks like it didn't pass. A few states had items banning same-sex couples from adopting on their ballots, while others voted to ban abortion. In many ways, this is completely opposite from what the country voted into the highest office in the U.S.A. If we want change that badly, first it needs to start with tolerance and acceptance that everyone is not the same. Not in looks, in skin color, in sexual preferences, in life choices. We do not live in a one-size-fits-all world. This nation was founded on the escape from religious and societal persecution. Now we persecute women on their decision to keep or abort babies, deny GLBT couples the right to happiness (many of which have more loving relationships than their hetero counterparts), and deny the right to a family. Where have we gone wrong? And who is going to carry the hope once the incoming president can no longer carry it by himself? We are a nation of great individuals. I sincerely hope that we overcome our differences to carry the flame of hope beyond Obama's term in office. Atlas shouldn't have to carry the heavens alone.