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D.L. Hughley

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RIP America!

Posted: 11/12/2012 6:16 pm

On November 6th 2012 America reelected Barack Hussein Obama as president of the United States.

This election, in my opinion, is historic in a myriad of ways. President Obama is now the second Democrat, following Bill Clinton, to win reelection since Franklin D. Roosevelt. He is also the first black president to win reelection ever. While these accomplishments are important in their own respect, what has struck me the most in the days following the election is the make-up of those who reelected President Obama.

The election commentary over this past week has been wonderful to watch. One, because I'm not afraid to admit that I love seeing Karl Rove, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh and the Republican party in general distraught, and two, because I have finally caught the "hope" bug. The Republican Party has a problem that it hasn't yet been brave enough to admit: This country has in fact changed.

Exit polls show that 71 percent of the Latino vote, 93 percent of the Black vote, and 55 percent of the woman vote went to Barack Obama. Essentially President Obama was reelected by "minorities" (read: everyone but the richest, most powerful white men). America is increasingly becoming a country of "others." Entire populations of people are thriving in a country that for so long has been control by so few. While Republicans are horrified by this realization, the rest of America is joyous.

To the rest of us, the end of a certain group being in complete control of the government, and by default the United States, is progress. If the reelection of President Obama by a large populace of the American electorate is the death of America, then I'm glad to see it go. There can be no rebirth without death. I'm glad the America that worked for some Americans while leaving others out in the cold is dead.

Republicans are having a hard time believing that Barack Obama was elected by "the people," and the problem they are having is that "the people" is no longer a phrase synonymous with white America. The coalition that reelected President Obama is inclusive of all Americans.

There are are also those who are saying that Romney would have won but Hurricane Sandy ruined his chances. So I guess God was an undecided voter until a week before the election. Hell, even God is a part of this new coalition of Obama supporters.

The inscription on the Statue of Liberty, which greeted those immigrated to the United States from across the world, reads: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" President Obama's reelection is America finally living up to what we've been saying about ourselves since this country's founding.
I am proud that Washington, Maryland and Maine approved measures that support the right for all Americans regardless of their sexual orientation to marry whomever they want. I am definitely glad that Colorado and Washington now have legal weed! I'm proud that Tammy Baldwin, who I had the pleasure of hearing speak at my oldest daughters' graduation from Smith College, is the first openly gay woman to win a Senate seat. It was Chik-fil-A v. Glee and Glee won!

It's about time we became the America we always talk about, an inclusive country with a representative government that serves "the people" and is a reflection of them. I was glad to cast my vote for President Obama because I believe we as a nation are on our way to the more perfect union we should strive to be every day. After Tuesday night's election, I have hope that we are in fact, on the right path.

 

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On November 6th 2012 America reelected Barack Hussein Obama as president of the United States. This election, in my opinion, is historic in a myriad of ways. President Obama is now the second Democr...
On November 6th 2012 America reelected Barack Hussein Obama as president of the United States. This election, in my opinion, is historic in a myriad of ways. President Obama is now the second Democr...
 
 
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08:42 PM on 12/02/2012
I prefer the old america, where it was more neighborly and friendly. These days everyone I encounter is rude and out to get you for something.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
George McAulay
Delighted to meet you
07:22 PM on 11/19/2012
Impressive article.

Americans definitely have to wrestle their country back off of the big corporations, rabid right wingers and the rich man
02:20 AM on 11/19/2012
Damn! Did he speak the truth or what?
10:57 PM on 11/18/2012
I agree and rejoice with you my brother. "We the people" has a whole new meaning. I thank god this happend in my lifetime and i was able to see America speak in one collective voice.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
H321
10:25 PM on 11/18/2012
The 'makers' are having a hissy fit and are firing people because Obama was re-elected. I think America is in for a lot more hurt before you see the good because to be honest. These people are very afraid. They think they have to take their country 'back' somehow and I think when reality catches up with them and things get very real, they will freak out!
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LMPE
I connect the most dissimilar things
10:19 PM on 11/18/2012
"Chik-fil-A v. Glee and Glee won!"

I like that description.
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david68574
The GOTP is the scourge of the USA.
10:07 PM on 11/18/2012
We have gone from the worst President in US history (dubya), to possibly one of the best almost overnight with President Obama. The republican need to stop being so afraid of change and embrace the future of our country. If they don't, they will become even more irrelevant than they are today
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
beautyontheinside
I've never dropped anyone I believed in. Marilyn
02:17 AM on 11/19/2012
Change is inevitable, and it's always for the best (I was chastised for saying that, but I guess the truth, no matter how positive, is always bad for some folks).
Those who accept the change and follow it will come out of it, for the better. Those who chose to let it overtake them, will just be left behind.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
hangdogit
Progressive with some Libertarian (abolish DEA).
06:53 AM on 11/19/2012
"Change is inevitable,..."

True. And the future always belongs to those who are ready for it.

To see something not ready for the future (or even ready for the present), see today's GOP -- or the dinosaurs.

Another point: The less prepared -- and more resistant to -- change something is, the more wrenching the effect when it finally comes. It is like the kind of major earthquake that happens when tectonic stress builds up for hundreds of years -- or this month's election.
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Ciocc1
06:24 PM on 11/19/2012
Hahahaha, thanks for the laugh.
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HST
Conservatism = selfishness
09:39 PM on 11/18/2012
Hey D.L. you also forgotmto add that the election was also about democracy winning oer money.

All those billionaires spent tons of money to defeat Obama.

Could you imagine if they spent those hundreds of millions to invest in the economy instead?

The fact they had all that money to waste would seem to argue that they could afford to pay more taxes.
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EndRacismNow
"Diversity is our greatest Strength"
01:16 AM on 11/19/2012
Firstly, Obama spent just as much if not more than Romney. He has plenty of billionaire/corporate/banker friends himself. Secondly, spending campaign money is investing money into the economy. They bought local tv and radio ads as well as employed a great deal of people to help run the campaign. Try again.
07:52 AM on 11/19/2012
Completely different circumstances. Obama didn't have individuals writing $100m checks. The vast majority of his money came from small donations from a wider range of people. So, he may have spent as much, of not more, but the point is that it wasn't a few trying I impose their will on the nation. Instead, the interests behind Obama's money represent the nation.
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HST
Conservatism = selfishness
05:14 PM on 11/19/2012
"He has plenty of billionaire/corporate/banker friends himself."

Wall Street bets big on Romney
http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/01/news/economy/wall_street_romney/index.htm

"Secondly, spending campaign money is investing money into the economy."

Campaign spending would only boost the economy if that money wouldn’t have been spent otherwise. Rich donors don’t have their money stored under mattresses – that money is most likely otherwise invested in productive enterprises through the stock market, or would be spent on luxury items like vacations or cars.

In fact, the effect on the economy could actually be negative because some other uses of the money may actually be more productive.

In other words, not only is all this spending not doing much for the economy, it’s actually not all that effective at producing electoral outcomes either. Maybe that means that big-time donors like Sheldon Adelson will think twice before spending small fortunes on Super PACs next time around. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.

http://business.time.com/2012/11/09/explainer-did-that-6-billion-in-campaign-spending-at-least-help-the-economy/

Facts and reality aren't your friends, genius.
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banana republican
Next in line for crumbs from the King's Table
09:34 PM on 11/18/2012
As an old white person, I just hope that the minorities, now that they're in power, aren't going to turn us into Mexico, or Harlem, or Detroit.
08:44 PM on 12/02/2012
hehe, keep hoping. we are getting there very quickly. I am in the process of looking at New Zealand, Bulgaria and a few other places to go and live. good luck - your children will need it if they remain in this dump.
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banana republican
Next in line for crumbs from the King's Table
08:30 PM on 12/03/2012
Good luck to you to. I've no doubt that America will soon lose a big percentage of those financially positioned to move.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
oyeller
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
09:28 PM on 11/18/2012
The new term is REAL AMERICAN now.

Only a white male is REAL as defined in the new conservative politically correct decoder book.

Even those who voted for Obama are now not REAL but something else something less.

Evolution is needed by all species who will survive.

Just this fact should be enough to disprove the basis of a conservative / slow to adapt / change resistant mindset and lifestyle.
09:26 PM on 11/18/2012
I would vote for letting Obama be president as long as he wants.
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Elecktra001
PC assassin
10:42 PM on 11/18/2012
Obama phones are great, aren't they?
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EndRacismNow
"Diversity is our greatest Strength"
01:18 AM on 11/19/2012
I got 6 phones myself. I love Obama phones.
12:14 AM on 11/19/2012
Yeah! Screw democracy, letting a leader take complete control of the country indefinitely sounds like the much more intelligent path for an evolving country like us. Too bad we fought that dumb Revolutionary war to become independent from policies like that, what were the founding fathers thinking?
09:13 PM on 11/18/2012
I know its so cool! Now all we need is all the money we've been promised!
conservo
Tea Partier, Atheist, Libertarian, Objectivist
09:50 PM on 11/18/2012
That is where the joke is on you. The money that you've been promised does not exist. We are over 16 trillion dollars in debt. By the end of Obama's next term we are projected to be 20 trillion in debt. Our unfunded mandates (money that we have been promised) are estimated to be up to 120 trillion dollars.
We are on the verge of collapse BECAUSE we have been promised so much (that we do not have).
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EndRacismNow
"Diversity is our greatest Strength"
01:19 AM on 11/19/2012
Nah it's cool. Obama will just borrow and print more money. No need to worry.
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ggs83
09:02 PM on 11/18/2012
A lot of us white people also campaigned for and voted for the President re election!
02:24 AM on 11/19/2012
Uh, thank you. :-)
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ggs83
11:05 AM on 11/19/2012
you are very welcome
08:45 PM on 11/18/2012
America is increasingly becoming a country of people dependent on the federal government for handouts of some sort.
09:47 PM on 11/18/2012
You are the reason Mitt lost. People like you make these ridiculous statements that have no meaning just irritate us Independents. First time I voted straight Dem ticket to send a message to the crazy Repubs. You distort the facts saying that he has raised taxes when they are the lowest in decades. You distort facts about federal handouts just like the lies regarding the Obama cell phones. Do a little research the program was started under Pres Bush and gives poor people cell phones with limited minutes so they can call 911 or employers can contact them regarding a job. This program is donated by the telecom industry but administered by the govern to make sure only the poor are receiving them. So stop the nonsense that America is increasingly becoming a country of people dependent on the federal govern. Do a little research and stop watching FOX.
09:58 PM on 11/18/2012
yes, there are lots of baby boomers over 60 receiving benefits. American corporations have been dependent on Government handouts for a LONG time.
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FloB
10:32 PM on 11/18/2012
And lots of young Adults? booming babies that they expect these seniors to support since they can not even support themselves.
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Zen0469
An empty micro-bio is a happy micro-bio.
08:43 PM on 11/18/2012
Great article. Thank you, D. L. Hughley. You have expressed it in a way that tickles me to the core of my being. "Republicans are having a hard time believing that Barack Obama was elected by "the people."

And I'm still smiling from ear to ear.