A Pep Talk For Conservatives

Just got up after a fitful night of sleep, and something strange happened. No, I'm not referring to the fact that Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on January 20th. I looked outside, and you know what? The sun is rising in the east. You know what else happened? My 7 and 3 year-old daughters woke up at their normal times being their normal chipper selves (although the older one wasn't too happy to hear Obama won).

(Cue Patton music)

Something else important happened. The American flag which has hung just outside my front porch for the past few years is STILL there. And it's not going anywhere anytime soon.

What's the point of this post? No matter how dejected and worried we feel this morning, today is a new day. So is tomorrow. So is the day after. Conservatives had the spotlight shine down on us for 8 years, and for a myriad of reasons already discussed and to be discussed, the spotlight has shifted to the other side. My advice to giddy Obama fans: wear lots of sunblock - the spotlight can burn.

We absolutely, positively cannot let our frustration, anger and dejection get the best of us. We saw how normally decent and highly-educated liberals totally lost their minds during the past few years accusing President George W. Bush of being a murderer, a Nazi, or just a mere idiot. Whatever we do, please let's not fall into that same trap. We're conservatives! We're strong-minded and strong-willed, and above all, we're principled. We value integrity and character.

Most of all, let's remember this one simple but crucial fact, we're AMERICANS. Keep on flying our flags. Let's hope and pray for the best during the next 4 years. This includes supporting the next president, as hard as that may seem right now. Don't be mistaken, this isn't a call for compromise and surrender of our ideals and values. We will watch Obama like a hawk, hold him accountable, and criticize him when warranted. That's our duty as Americans. Too many people on the left voted "present" during the past 8 years of the Bush presidency. The results of that negligence are as plain as the sun rising this morning. We're conservatives. We show up to the office. We do our part.

A quote from Cigar Mike's post yesterday pretty much sums up my feelings:

At the end of the day, whomever wins shall be our President on January 21, 2009 for the next 4 years. And whether I agree with any of his policies or not, I will support him. It is our duty to support the President as an institution, even if we have fundamental disagreements with their policies. We have a right to make our disagreements heard and have a duty to challenge policies we disagree with. And if we don't get our way, then it is up to us that we elect more folks in Congress with our beliefs and a new President in 4 years.

Let's hang our heads high this morning. Let's get to work. If you need any reminders of what needs to be done, just take a glance at that American flag flying outside your front door.

(Cross-posted from Babalu)