Something strikes me this 4th of July about the 4th of November. That's election day, and it occurred to me no matter what we decide in the voting booth, the next President of the United States will be a great American.
John McCain's history of service to our nation is well known. The Navy pilot shot down over Viet Nam who endured years of torture and carries scars from that experience to this day. During his captivity and even after his release, McCain could have allowed himself to fall into despair, but never stopped believing in America or serving the nation he loved. It is easy to become cynical about those who hold office in Washington. McCain himself was tarnished by the 'Keating 5' scandal, but he used that light brush with impropriety as a wake up call and became a better Senator and public servant because of it. His 'maverick' reputation comes from his willingness to be his own man and buck the system and his party if he believes it is for the greater good. The wonderful thing about McCain's campaign is we see a man who truly deserves to be President after all he has sacrificed in service to America.
Barack Obama is a great American in a different but no less substantial way. Obama is a man who never let the hurdles that came from the color of his skin become barriers to achievement. He worked and studied hard but then chose a selfless and less lucrative path so he could fight to make America a better place. He's set lofty goals and has led the kind of life that personifies the term 'role model.' He is much more than the first black man to be nominated by a major political party for President. He is a true inspiration, the kind of individual who in many ways personifies that wonderful and unique national quality we call 'The American Dream.'
America is in a difficult place right now. Recession, war, a sense of national decline. Americans will soon have to make a critical choice about our future, but what a great comfort to know no matter what we decide, we can't really make a bad decision. Our choice is between two very good ones.
I didn't see any of that four years ago. With all due respect to President Bush and Senator Kerry, my reaction to the Presidential election of 2004 was 'is this really the best we can do for President?' I was afraid then that maybe the modern burdens of the 'fishbowl Presidency' and the flaws in our political system had shackled our nation to 2nd rate leadership in Washington forever.
I was wrong. I should have had more faith in America. We live in a complex and messy place that makes mistakes and must endure difficult challenges, yet always finds a way to get up, brush itself off and shine even brighter than before. Maybe it is because at our core we are such a good-hearted country. Maybe it is because we are a nation of optimists who still find opportunity and hope even in our darkest days. Or maybe it's because of not only our love of freedom, but our heartfelt belief in the virtues of freedom. The two men now vying for the Presidency certainly embody that.
In Obama I see the intelligent idealism of Thomas Jefferson and the worldly wisdom of Ben Franklin. In McCain I see the tremendous courage of George Washington and the great American values of John Adams. I don't personally believe God blesses a nation. I do believe God blesses our nation with men such as these. On this 4th of July, reflecting on these two great Americans makes me very proud to be one.
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