Cliff Kurt’s Weblog

(Note – this blog is a departure from my typical attempts at humor.  Thanks for allowing me to pontificate.)

Okay, Barack won.  Now what?  Well, consider this:

My girlfriend is a liberal.  How did she and I manage to get along?

We focused on those things on which we agree,  few though they might be, and limited discussion of the things about which we don’t agree.  And when we did discuss them, we did so in a mutually respectful way, examining the philosophy of our beliefs and never questioning each other’s character or intellect.   And it worked.

So here’s where conservatives can count our blessings…

1) Barack broke the color barrier.  Despite the fact that his politics are liberal, it’s about time this barrier was shattered.   This opens the door to other African Americans and, hopefully, women – conservative and liberal – and the nation only wins when ALL have opportunity to serve and be effective.

2) Barack will be a good ambassador to the world.  Yes, we’ve heard him talk about the world’s needs taking priority over America’s needs, but the fact is, the world wanted to see Barack in office.   This will work to restore our standing in the eyes of the rest of the world, and that will be a good thing. 

3) The man is intelligent.  Where the liberal media unfairly painted Bush as a moron (equating folksy language and a southern dialect with intelligence – shame on them), nobody could suggest Barack lacks for brains.

4) This election has the potential to tear down racial divides among Americans.  I say potential – Barack will do everyone a service if he convinces all of us to stop looking at color of skin.  Whether it’s whites prejudiced against blacks, or blacks demanding concessions because of the claimed (sometimes real) disparate treatment.  Maybe this will finally let us realize people are people, plain and simple.

5)  The democratic process is alive and well.  Frankly, I was very freakin’ proud when Barack was elected last night.  We live in the greatest country on the planet, because it’s OUR country.

A former co-worker yesterday called me a “dumbass” when he heard I was supporting McCain.  Mostly jokingly.  But this demonstrates where we as conservatives can shine.

For how long have we heard liberals vehemently rage against George Bush?  Songs whose lyrics include “Fuck Bush, fuck this war,” nasty, vitriolic bumper stickers, etc.  This from liberals who love to accuse conservatives of being filled with hate, exclusion, etc.

We, as conservatives, MUST embrace Barack for what he is – OUR PRESIDENT.  We must respect him and honor him.  We can (and at times, will) disagree with his policies, but we must do so in a way that does not belittle the man behind the policies.  This can show that we are people of good character, we are patriotic and we are inclusive of all.  After all, one of the greatest tenets of conservative philosophy is that ANYONE should have the opportunity to accomplish his or her dreams.

In my 11 years living in Washington, DC, I worked with a LOT of liberals.  And I came to learn that there are conservatives who are far more smarter than any liberals I know, and there are liberals far more smarter than myself and any conservatives I know.  It’s not about intelligence, it’s about philosophy and world view.  Shame on anyone who regards a conservative as a dumbass, and shame on us conservatives if we dismiss or disrespect Barack and his supporters simply because they are liberal.

So, let’s rise above and show the world how we conservatives are not the hateful, bigoted, spiteful persons some on the left would believe.  Who’s with me?  Let’s goooooooooo…..