YES WE CAN . . . TURN OUR COUNTRY AROUND!

And after the past week watching the Democratic Convention, I'm more convinced than ever!  What a week it was.  All of my life I've been proud to be a Democrat, but after this past week..........after a long, miserable, discouraging eight years, once again, I'm PROUD to be an AMERICAN!

For the first time in eight years, I feel I can go to France next month and proudly display my Obama button and be proud to be from a country that doesn't just sit back, but rather stands up for what they believe in and makes things happen.  From my many visits to France these past eight years, I can personally vouch for the fact that Europeans have been shaking their heads at our country.....all due to the Bush Administration.  But now.......with Obama and Biden on our ticket, I can feel hope again.  I can feel that our good will be restored in time and once again, America will be a country to be proud of.

The momentum of the energy and that hope began Monday evening when Ted Kennedy spoke.  There's a man with courage and determination that, despite a serious illness, stood up and spoke for Obama and the party.  And how about Hillary?  As all of you know, no, I didn't support her.  My choice was Obama from the very beginning and I stuck with that choice.  However, HAD Hillary won the primary my support would have instantly switched to her.  Why?  Because like she said, it wasn't about HER...........it was about the Democratic party winning this election and bringing about the desperately needed change for our country.  I was inspired and motivated by her speech and her honest and genuine support for Obama.  Now that's an intelligent and savvy woman.

I was very pleased with Obama's choice for VP with Joe Biden.  An accomplished politician, I feel he will be a huge asset to Obama. 

And how about Bill Clinton's speech?  Now that man is a born orator.  Talk about stir a crowd and push that momentum forward for November.  He was a superb President and got this country in such a good place............only to be torn down when Bush was elected.

But the piece de resistance of the entire convention (in my opinion) was Thursday night when Senator Obama came forth to speak to the country.  In no uncertain terms, he crystalized for the American people what needs to be done in this country, what he will do and what we, as citizens, can do.  His speech was mesmerizing and spot-on!  I was filled with emotion and an energy I haven't felt in eight years.  A patriotic love of my country that made me believe in the greatest country on earth, ALL things are possible!  IF we work hard for them.  United, I believe strongly in the slogan, YES, WE CAN!  We can take back our country and make it safe and allow ALL people to have decent jobs with good wages, health care, education, freedom of speech................not just the elite and rich. 

I thought some of the quotes that came out of the convention were beyond inspirational and energizing.........."America's best days are still to come."  "One person's struggle is everyone's struggle.  We recognize ourselves in others."  And I especially loved when Bill Clinton said, "People the world over have been impressed with our power of example....rather than our example of power."  Bravo!

We need to restore our American leadership around the world.  This has been the most unequal America since the 1920's and with Barack Obama as our President we can effectively change that and make our country equal for ALL of the citizens, not just the chosen few.

I have never been involved with a politcal campaign like I am with this one.  I feel it's my last chance to make this country the place that my father fought for during WWII.  The place where ALL of my grandchildren.....male and female will be equal.  Where my children can work hard and see the fruition of their labor, rather than more and more discouragement.  Where my five grandsons won't have to go off to fight a needless and unnecesary war.  Where my two granddaughters will have as many opportunities open to them as my grandsons.  This is the kind of country that has been missing for the past eight years.  This is the kind of country my father wanted for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren some day, when he landed on those Normandy shores in 1944.  And THIS is the kind of country Senator Obama will give to us and why I'm making volumes of phone calls to Democrats reminding them to support Obama. 

And my firm belief is..............YES, we CAN!  If we all step up and make it happen in any way possible. 

See you here tomorrow.............when I'll share my thoughts on Sarah Palin, McCain's choice for VP.