I won’t talk about American politics, because frankly I don’t know the first thing about it, but I can’t let yesterday’s elections go without notice.
I am proud of you, America.
I am moved by you, America.
The mobilisation of voters, the voluntary campaigns on the internet, the celebrity ad campaigns - all of it. The passion. The hope. The devotion. The manifestations. I am so touched by the whole thing. Politics in Sweden is never like this, we are too inhibited, too afraid, too indifferent.
In my corner of the world we never had a doubt about which candidate to root for. What I’ve read on the internet and seen on TV, what I’ve heard from every single fairly intelligent American I’ve ever come across, has all pointed in the same direction.
Together you firmly showed the Universe what you want for your country and yourselves. Together you were strong, and you won.
What we have seen these last few months that culminated last night, was democracy at its best. This is what it’s all about. Barack Obama is the people’s president. He’s got a heavy task ahead of him, but the wind of change has already begun to blow. The passive resentment is gone.
For years I’ve read stories of people – Americans – who were ashamed of their country of origin, so ashamed that they even hesitated to admit that they were indeed Americans when they were abroad. They fled the country, fled the GWB administration, fled from everything they felt was wrong.
Those are the same people who volunteered to engage the world in this election.
Those are the same people who joined forces, voted and last night finally got their president.
Those are the same people who today can and should be proud to be Americans.
Congratulations America.
Thank you for having faith in us today!
I really appreciate it!
I’m so proud.
This is the first time in the ten years that I’ve lived in the USA that I am proud of this country. For once America voted with heart and with intelligence, focusing on goals and possibilities rather than money and petty politics.
The question now is, will Obama follow through? Will his actions be as eloquent, as moving and as meaningful as his speech last night?
I hope so. If there’s any country in desperate need of change, it’s this one.
thanks annika…you’re right – today it feels great to be an American.
Thank you so much for your kind words about us and our country. I look at Obama’s victory as no only good for the US,but good for the whole World! If you ever give up on your dream of living in Italy you are more than welcome to come here.
Dear Annika,
Thank you so much for your words. The truth is I don’t share your excitment. I come from a country where we had an Obama long ago, promising to fix everything and to fight for the poor. My country is devastated nowadays and from there I learned to be skeptical of all politicians. I hope God help us and give us a better future than the present we are living. I agree with you in that it was a democratic election and I pray he does a good job, even though I doubt it, because we need it.
When oh when will it be our turn?
When will I be able to say I’m Italian without having to point out that no, I didn’t vote for him? When will I be able to stop feeling embarassed and enraged everytime I hope a foreign newspaper website and see the comments on the “sick man of Europe”?
Will I be able to see a decent Italy in the 30 years or so I’m on average supposed to live yet?
Or, conversely, any suggestion? Like opening a beach bar in Mexico? Or what?
…. everytime I OPEN a foreign newspaper website….
But Berla is funny
He is a PR genius and positively a comedian, but does that make him qualified to lead a country? I think not.
Annika, I couldn’t be more proud too. You wake up with an entirely different feeling–one based on having confidence in the person that’s going to be running this country, not disgust…..I am truly looking foward to the change! We just have to have faith and realize that it won’t come over night…he has stepped into a lot of …muck.
Deb