Yesterday was a momentous one for me – not only did I get to see President Barack Obama at a campaign rally at the University of Cincinnati, I also got to hear Stevie Wonder sing, thus crossing off an item from my
100 list.
I get political
Yesterday’s was the first political rally I’ve ever attended. Although I have opinions on politics, I usually keep those to myself in order to avoid the nasty political discourse I see taking place all too often. But for me, supporting Obama isn’t about politics as much as it is supporting what is morally right. I don’t want to be a one issue voter because I don’t have a lot of respect for people who vote that way. But how a person stands on social issues –gay rights, women’s right, different classes of people – speaks to me about the quality of that human being. A candidate might have good things to say, but if I think they’re a poor example of a human, they aren’t getting my vote. And if that means not casting a presidential vote, then fine. At least I know I haven’t caved to anything.
I feel fortunate that I respect President Obama. I don’t agree with every decision he’s made, but I am more proud of my country since he’s been leading it than I was with the prior President. When I travel overseas, I am proud to say I’m an American and no longer contemplate telling people I’m Canadian. I don’t think things are perfect in our country, but for me, they are better now than they were four years ago.
Yesterday, more than hearing the President speak, what warmed my heart was seeing the masses of people who showed up for the event. Being among those masses. It made me equally happy to hear about how many people showed up for the Romney rally in Cincinnati. Sure, I might have opinions about who I think is the better candidate, but they aren’t nearly as strong as my feelings that people should give a damn, get involved and vote. So too many people showing up for a rally? Quite an okay problem to have.
I swoon
A significant highlight for me of the Obama rally were the performances by Stevie Wonder. He tops my 100 list and I’ve always just assumed that I would need to fly to Vegas or some other large city and fork over gobs of money to see him in concert. When I learned that I could see him for FREE less than a mile from my house? I about passed out.
My love of Stevie Wonder dates back to watching The Cosby Show. I am sure I could come up with better stories to tell, but ah well… When Wonder Boy and I got married, we walked down the aisle to Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours. The first notes of Superstition start to play and I immediately start dancing.
Yesterday I got to listen to both of those songs and they sounded great and I’m still riding my Stevie Wonder buzz. He got the crowd worked up with Obama’s rallying cry of Fired Up! Ready to go! He got people on their feet and, at the end of the evening, he got Obama dancing a little. But really, who can help but to dance to some Stevie?
This morning I crossed off See Stevie Wonder from list.
