Dream Ticket for 2008

Today is November 4, 2008 and the race for the next U.S. President has been decided by an early electoral college count. While my dream ticket could never happen under current party guidelines, I followed a precept from the Man from La Mancha inspired by Miguel de Cervantes's Don Quixote., "The real insanity is seeing the world as it is and not as it should be." In other words, I HOPE for a better future than that presented by the current political parties. Today some American dreams were realized by all Americans. However, my fear is that America may be headed for a depression that not even a new administration may be able to cope with and solve, but my HOPE is that American know how will save the day.

About two weeks ago, I felt I knew who would win and I told my wife and son who was going to have a birthday on this election day. I even told some friends that I knew without letting on who. My reasoning was based on the Truman/Eisenhower race, the Bush/Clinton race, and similarities of the McCain/Obama race as well as e-mails from all of you and comments by certain political analysts. If you remember, Truman took us into the Korean war, Senior Bush took us into the Desert Storm war, and the current Bush took us into the Iraq war. More importantly, America is in recession and headed towards a depression. Americans have always voted against the current administration during these times. Q.E.D. Obama had to win.

Unfortunately, Lou Dobbs asked the most critical question of all the political analysts, "Can either candidate keep their promises?" The answer is probably no. But we can all HOPE.

In the comparison of life and death, it has been said, "Life is for the living." As Dr. Schuler once said about all problems, "If you can't solve it, manage it." And in HOPE, it has been said, "Do not take away a person's HOPE, for it may be all they have." Therefore, I will always prepare for the worst and HOPE for the best.

As a consolation to those that feel they lost today, I offer the following old quotes which still hold more than a grain of truth:

Whether you are happy or disappointed with the results of this hotly fought election, it is now a time of HOPE for the country. HOPE that regardless of who is running the country, our lot as a people improves.

HOPE that the economy turns around and people are earning healthy livings. HOPE that our borders – will be protected against terrorist threats – both internal and external. HOPE that our education and healthcare improve. And HOPE that freedom and growth around the world rebound.

We judge of man's wisdom by his HOPE.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you HOPE for. And the most you can do is live inside that HOPE. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.
- Barbara Kingsolver

HOPE is the last thing that dies in man; and though it be exceedingly deceitful, yet it is of this good use to us, that while we are traveling through life it conducts us in an easier and more pleasant way to our journey’s end.
- François de la Rochefoucauld

Practice HOPE. As HOPEfulness becomes a habit, you can achieve a permanently happy spirit.
- Norman Vincent Peale

He who does not HOPE to win has already lost.
- Jose Joaquin Olmedo

"I Have A Dream" ticket for 2008.