This election was my third, but so far, my most involved.  I followed so many candidates, from Ron Paul to Sarah Palin and watched them all grow and evolve along the way.   I learned so much more about Politics during this past year than the rest of my entire adult life.

I was amazed by the number of people in this country -- even in my own family! -- who used to be such staunch Republicans yet remained open-minded enough to listen to the other party for once.  My own mother has cast a straight Republican ticket in every election since 1972.  She called me Tuesday night to make sure I knew that though TX still went to McCain, her city (San Antonio) had voted for Obama.  As had most large or densely populated areas in the US.

My mother went to see Obama earlier this year when he was running against Hilary.   She was moved by his speech and impressed by the health care plan of the Democratic Party.  With three sons in the military, my mother is in favor of ending this war as soon as possible, and so whe was swayed to change her party.  In fact, she now has an autographed copy of Obama's Audacity of Hope which she insisted I read.

To make things clear, I don't hate or even dislike McCain.  In fact, I like the guy.  But at the end of this day, what this country needed and what I was looking for in my own life was one word and Obvama was spouting it, printing it and promising it at every turn:

CHANGE.

No, I don't think I'm going to get a better job now or that the Dems will cut me a check for just voting them in.  I'm realistic.  And because I'm a realist, I know that when you've been in an abusive relationship for 8 years, the last thing you need is another charming guy offering you more of the same old lies and excuses.

McCain means well, and Palin thinks she means well, but they just don't have anyone's intrests in mind but their own.  Thank you America for waking up and realizing how abused you've been for so long.  There is more than one religion (or lack thereof) and it's high time the people in power start accepting it as a fact instead of trying to fight and supress us.

We're here, we have a voice, and we have been heard.  For those of you who voted for Obama, bear in mind the reality of what he faces and the burdens he will be shouldering.  We cannot realistically evacuate Iraq tomorrow anymore than we can magically balance the trillion dollar deficit in a matter of days.  Have patience and keep the faith.

Obama, don't disappoint us, all eyes are on you now.  I didn't give up on you, so all I ask is that you do the same for us.