I consider myself more politically aware than the average bear. I've been voting since I was 18 years old. Now in my 40s, I can say this is the first time I voted
for someone as opposed to
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voting against his or her opponent. Today as I watched the inauguration proceedings, I was genuinely moved and proud to be an American. I don't know if it's because he's the first African-American elected and it feels like we taken a giant step in that regard, or if it's his youth and charisma or his apparent straightforwardness - a welcome change. I don't know how Obama will do, he's got
huge problems on his (our) plate, but I have faith - for the moment - that his intention is true and that he has the power to provide inspiration to a country that disparately needs it. The last 8 years have been a national and international nightmare. Perhaps we can begin to wake up from that and face a new, brighter day.