The Road Ahead

As I write this post millions of Americans across the country are about to wake up and begin their normal Tuesday routine with one very large difference, many if not most of us will exercise our constitutional right to vote.

And after all is said and done by the time we all head back to sleep we will know who our next president will be. Some of us will be sleeping pretty well, but others might need a little help.

But we can all take pride that each one of us who did decide to vote has played a part in the selection process that will enable our democracy to move forward in whatever direction we have chosen as a nation.

Of course people from all over the world will be anxiously awaiting the results as well. And they should for the last century our country has done more to change the world than any other.

Now it's our turn once again to show the world what we Americans are all about while we all hold our collective breath for the results.

But as recent history has shown it's not always about us and events in other countries can and do have serious consequences right here in the US.

So what can we look forward to in the next presidential cycle? One thing is for certain, change.

Let's take a look at some of the most important things that our next President, and other world leaders will have to tackle.

Both at home and abroad, the economic crisis will need to be solved. We know well from past experience that if this tricky problem isn't addressed quickly and decisively, it will fester like an in-law gone mad for a generation or more.

The world's diminishing energy resources have toyed with us several times before, but this time the question of oil and water will not go away, especially as the taps in the the Gulf begin to run dry, and the Colorado river as well as most others turns into a meaningless trickle.

Many scientists have already said that our impact on the environment has reached a tipping point, but during the next four years we should clearly see the handwriting on the wall as several vital ecosystems are lost altogether. Whether from pollution, exploitation, or climate change the human population will finally outstrip the ability of the planet to renew itself fast enough for our demands.

These two vital issues of diminishing resources and widespread environmental destruction will only wreak more havoc on the worlds poorest who will be left with very few options. The optimistic will seek refuge in an ever smaller number of wealthy nations thus contributing to the decline of those countries that try to provide for them. The pessimistic will try their best to stay and make the best from what they have, but eventually capitulate and die but not before raising even more children. The angry will be filled with rage and seek revenge.

So there you have it, but quite certainly even more bad news will be on the horizon. However unpredictable life and the next four years may be one thing is for sure, there is a sizable number of Americans who will not be able to come to terms with a mixed-race president.

Should Obama win the election, as predicted by every poll there is, I would only hope that those Americans who decided not to vote for him would accept the result no matter how hard it may be for them to understand. However, history has shown there are some who are not that forgiving, especially when it comes to the election of a populist president from Illinois.

There have already been a few misguided plots against Obama in recent weeks, but as the days move into months and the frustration of a few continues to fester, I would suspect there will be more to come and only one needs to be successful. There are those that refuse to think a Democrat is nothing more than a socialist. And then others will refuse to see beyond the color of his skin. Whatever the motivation may be, it's certainly clear that Obama may be both the most liked next-president and the most hated next-president in our history.

Should the unthinkable happen, I wouldn't expect the same response from the citizenry after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. If such a thing were to occur this time, it would cause a civil war and not become the final chapter of one.

Now, I have to say that even the thought of this happening makes me feel sick. One can only hope and prey we are lucky enough to make it through these next four years without incident to the president, but I highly doubt we'll be that fortunate because what makes him so appealing to the majority of people is exactly what others fear the most.

Not a pleasant thought to end a post on, however looking out the window and seeing the sun rising once again I know it's time for me to head out. Rest assured I'll post more about my take on the future, politics and life in general soon.

Until then, I hope everyone will practice their right to vote and may each of us wish the best for both candidates and one another.