A little wow

A few notes for tonights: so we have a new president! It was interesting to watch the election coverage; they were so gun-shy in trying NOT to announce that he was winning hand over fist, while at the same time it was very evident they were trying not to announce it. Curt was furious that, basically, out West, California’s vote is basically discounted since by the time it got to us, it was very clear he would win. It always was, after all, but I see his point.

So much for the news media.

I am glad McCain gave a gracious speech. No matter what you think of the man’s politics, to take defeat with grace is a hard-won virtue; one that many people do not possess (including the ignorantly vocal minority of his constituency). So, hats off to him for that.

Now, looking ahead, I am hopeful that Barack Obama will be a good president. He may be a great president, if all of the words he used on the campaign trail about hope, America, and all that jazz turn out to be how he really feels. What I am wary of? Basically, every idea he has about the economy. His response to Joe the Plumber:

It’s not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they’ve got a chance at success, too… My attitude is that if the economy’s good for folks from the bottom up, it’s gonna be good for everybody. If you’ve got a plumbing business, you’re gonna be better off [...] if you’ve got a whole bunch of customers who can afford to hire you, and right now everybody’s so pinched that business is bad for everybody and I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.

Um…no. We should not spread the wealth around. That is not what wealth is for. Wealth is accumulated through work and success; success is not a hand-out. Success is not a tax break. Success is something more than that. Do you think tax breaks will = success for most people? I sure don’t. My (limited) wealth is not up for grabs to enrich people who are less “wealthy” than I am. They should do that for themselves.

And that’s why I didn’t vote for him. Still, as a nation that, merely 60 years go was mired in hatred and bigotry, electing Barack Obama president is an amazing thing. In that, if in nothing else, a good thing was done today.

So, here’s to four years, and may they be good ones, President Obama.

Also, I’m playing WoW again, and I love it! Except for that part where I sword-specced and realized I am dual wielding daggers… ;)