Barack Obama, America's 44th President

On the fourth of July I usually write a post on my site paying tribute to our neighbours to the south, across the largest unguarded border in the world [2006] [2008]. However, my involvement with the country is rooted far deeper than notes I have jotted in cyber-space annually.

During some of the highest and lowest parts of my life, America was my home. It took me in, gave me a job, found me an adorable house in Cambridge, and fed me Dunkin Donuts coffee daily.

A few years after my stay, I met an American man who gave up his house and his job to move up to Canada and be with this girl from Surrey. He left his bass guitar at his parent’s house, gave his stereo to his God-son, and made the trek North with only a few suitcases and the hopes of starting a new life. However, one thing he never gave up was the love of where he came from.

He’s still a die-hard Cubs fan, will cheer for the Chiefs, and can name almost any professional player that used to be a University of Iowa Hawkeye. That, and Thanksgiving always comes twice a year in our house. Submitting his ballot even though he was 2,000kms from home was the most important item on his to-do list over the last year or so. “Our stories are singular but our destiny is shared.”¹

You don’t need to be political to be patriotic, you just need to be passionate. The people of the United States of America are our friends, our family, and our peers. We share their television, sports, economic woes, tragedies and victories. Most of all we share passion for our countries.

Even north of the border up here in Yaletown, Vancouver, the tears were flowing freely during Obama’s acceptance speech [Duane Storey]

As of today, November 4th 2008, the people of the United States of America elected their first African American President, Barack Obama. “To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.” ²

Vigorous dedication and determination led to record-breaking voter turnout while youth and first-time voters made all the difference in the world; voices were heard.

“The true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms, or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals – democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.”³

To say that I’m excited to see how this will shape our towns, countries, continent, and our world is an understatement, although I know it’s still an uphill battle. With voter apathy and the lowest turnout in history for Canada, I’m just hoping that our nation’s passion will soon be kick-started as well.

^{1 2 3}– President-Elect, Barack Obama in his victory speech.