The Future

If you haven't heard yet, Barack Obama has officially become the first black President of the United States of America. As I sit here watching his victory speech, I can't help the feelings that arise. I'm excited. I want to be his friend. I am motivated to do something.

But wait. I voted for John McCain. Marketing is a funny thing, you see. Obama's campaign has been phenominal. He sent mass text messages, created an iPhone application, inspired the apathetic. You can't deny it. He truely is an organizer. He knows exactly "who to put on the bus and which seat to put them in", as they say. Obama has crossed every demographic line - young, old, white, black, rich, poor. It doesn't matter. Everyone is excited about him. It's quite amazing, really.

I might actually disagree with Obama on every single political issue. It's very possible that that is the case. I definitely did not want him to live in the White House for the next four years. No question about it. But he won. Nothing I can do about it.

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On Friday, I hope to take one step closer to the beginning of my career in the United States Marine Corps. Eventually, I will take an oath to defend my country and the US Constitution at all costs and to the best of my ability. As a Marine, Obama will be my boss. But any member of the military or Secret Service will tell you: they do not work for or protect a man. They do it for the idea. It doesn't matter who the man is. They do it for the offices politicians hold. They do it for the philosophy of a nation. Men come and go but ideas continue on.

Yes, I'm bummed that Obama won. But that doesn't change how I feel about Friday. I can't wait.