A New Day Has Come

As the swearing in of a new President comes, the way the Republicans think is going to have to change. Many decisions have to be made over the next few months and scrutiny for those resolutions may bring many questions to the political arena: How will his first 100 days be? Were the inauguration activities a little too hyped-up? Will he fulfill all of his promises? Will Obama still be loved one, two, three, or four years from now?

There are so many questions that arise from all of this on the Republican perspective. While we want to join in on the celebration of this historic event, and want to rejoice in the steps that this country has taken, it is hard to rally behind a man whose ideals differ so much from your own. And while we want to have faith that this man will be able to many good things for this country, there is a hollow feeling that we are getting pumped with fancy words that invoke hope.

Seeing George W. Bush leave by way of Air Force One, knowing that history may be the only chance he has at not being one of the most hated Presidents in our time (when we thought that it was Carter), brought the feeling that words will not be able to sustain our country forever. If it could, the most prolific authors and poets of our time would be on Capitol Hill fighting for our rights and bringing the change we need. Words will not be able to bring the change we need-the action from those words and plans for action will be what takes this "Era of Hope" to reality.

Even though the Democrats are the ones in the spotlight, Republicans are not to sit back and be idle during this phase of our country. Republicans must rise up and make their voices heard during this time-not in despair and whining for all that they have lost, but being there to pick up pieces that will start to fall.

What will you do, fellow Republican? Are you going to give the Democrats the spotlight? How can you make a difference this week, this month, this year to follow the American dream to be one nation and one body that stands.