Election...Reality Check

OK, as the election draws to a close and Obama has all but swept it, it is time for me to throw a little cynicism into the mix... I wasn't enamored with either party to begin with (yes, I know there are more than two, but wake me up once one of the other parties starts making a dent in the election process), and although I'm a registered Republican (mostly to vote in the primary) I threw my vote Obama's way. It's not like living in California (the super blue state) offered much chance of voting in a Republican anyway (thanks Electoral College ). I probably would have voted for McCain if it weren't for the campaign that was so sabotaged by his own party (Palin? Really? The best they could come up with?). I'm pretty sure that stunt hurt him more than helped him. I was also fairly disgusted by both candidates' overall campaigns, or maybe just sick of political ads and speeches in general...sure you can talk a good talk, but I need to see some solid plans on "the how". I just can't see how people can get so excited by hearing a speech...I've never heard one that has made me want to go out and slap a bumper sticker on my car. If you read most of the articles (both the elite liberal media and the blogosphere), Obama is either the messiah or the downfall of the nation if not the world, and McCain is either the champion of America or some mean old fascist George W. clone who will destroy us all. Bah... Everybody needs to have everything so black and white, when reality is closer to a lovely shade of gray.

So, with the Dems capturing a majority of the House and the Senate and Obama at the helm, we should all expect to see everything that Obama pledged during the campaign come to fruition, right? I'm not betting on it. I mean, sure it would be great to really change things up and get the nation back on track, but once the excitement all dies down lets see how many of those campaign trail promises get put into play. For a review (and to keep score over the next few years) refer to this site - http://www.nationaljournal.com/campaigns/2008/wh08/promises.htm

Hopefully, all of the exuberant Obama supporters out there will keep his feet to the fire to deliver the goods, because thy really won't have any evil Republicans to blame... unless nothing gets done and the backlash from the voters in the next election swings the tide the other direction.