I Choose Optimism
Followers of my blog know the Republican Party drove me away years ago, and I’ve watched with disgust — and concern — the expansion of fear-mongering scare-tactics they use to push their agenda.
For me, the GOP no longer represents America as the “shining city upon a hill” as Ronald Reagan inspirationally declared. Where President Obama is a symbol of hope and aspiration, empathy and optimism, competence and confidence, the GOP leaders carry the torch for anger and dissention, fear and negativity, exclusion and intolerance. Obama is about what’s possible; the Republicans focus on what’s wrong.
Positive attitudes are contagious. Negative ones are malignant.
It’s not just a coincidence that the stock market is up 70% from the March 2009 lows, that consumer confidence is on the rise and the economy is finally creating jobs again.
Things are simply better for Americans since Barack Obama took office.
Consciously or subconsciously, a lot of people are responding to Obama’s leadership in very positive ways.
For the vocal minority of naysayers and stone-throwers the media is transfixed on: You can continue looking at the President’s message and record cynically and scornfully — there’s probably nothing Obama will ever do to change your mind. But if you’re right and Obama is unsuccessful, do you prosper? Is America’s decline really a win? What does “being right” get you?
When I think about the future for my 3-year old son and my unborn daughter — she’s due August 10 — I can’t help but hope my optimistic vision for the future comes true!