The “race” for the Presidency

It saddens me at times to think of the state that our country is in. Truly saddens me. I think about the many people who struggle and need help, and the society so like Babylon that we indulge in on a daily basis and it makes it challenging. This year the race for the President is an interesting one. I teach government to 12th graders and we are actively watching the democrats and their race for who will be their candidate. In reality it is an exciting time in history. Normally, we already know who will be running for each party without the votes of millions of people. As unfortunate as it is that is the way the system works. However, i as a citizen am tired of this broken down system of government that we currently have. Although I always see positives and negatives to both parties there are always areas that I also completely disagree with. But that is what makes us Americans we have the freedom to disagree and are able to express it. I think our country needs a major overhaul and I am not positive any of the candidates can do it. But at least Barack Obama admits that it can’t be done with one candidate and one 4 year term.  I did watch  Barack Obama’s speech on racism. I have to say that the man can speak. He inspires me. Does that mean I think he can achieve all he claims? No Does it mean I agree with him on every issue? No But do I think we need to see change in our country? Yes?   I think our country needs change and I do believe that if either other candidate gets elected there will be no change and it will continue as business as usual. I know that’s not what I want. After listening to his speech, it made me think of the effect race has had and still has on our country. I can even see it in my students.I have taught for only 4 years. However, their opinions on immigrants in our country has gone from bad to worse and if I am honest many times mine has too. But what I liked about Barack’s speech was not just that he addressed slavery and how it has influenced african americans through this current generation but he also addressed the other side of the coin. Not leaving anyone out. He realized that there could also be resentment built up in the rest of America as well. That is what makes me like him. I dont’ see him so far to the left or the right either way on this issue. I think of my own upbringing. I was raised in KY (I consider it the south) and there were defintely times I saw racisim in those around me. I was “bussed” in junior high. There was a great neighborhood middle school in walking distance but instead I was sent almost 40 minutes away. It was hard and at times scary but I still think I got a good education, learned a lot, remember a ton from jr. hgih and many things that happened there were what has added to me being me. Even though in our generation and the ones younger don’t have a good perspective of what those older than us truly had to go through. It has to give us a different perspective.I loved it that Obama knows we need to help ourselves, we can’t only depend on the government to do things for us. We can help each other; but must we rely on an institution that can be corrupt and not always looking out for the best of it’s citizens? Something to consider.I am not sure who I plan to vote for in November I just know there are many things to look at. I will be looking for truth and someone who I believe can add to this country that we live in. There is much more in my mind on this topic and as Nov approaches there will be much more to say.