Have patience as new team begins

More than diplomatic savvy or economic acumen, what the country needs now more than anything is patience. Eight years of international blunders, domestic mismanagement and fiscal neglect cannot be corrected overnight.

The current administration has left us with a mess of monumental proportions, and the forbearance of all Americans will be required while fresh ideas and sound judgment begin the massive cleanup required. Under the circumstances, patience is not just a virtue, it's a necessity.

-- Dennis B. Appleton, Madison

Let's hope the change is toward the center

Sen. Barack Obama, the candidate of hope and change, wins the presidency. One hopes he overcomes his inexperience and changes his ultra-liberal political philosophy by moving to the center.

-- Brad Taylor, Madison

Voters wanted new direction, world view

Tuesday's extraordinary voter turnout demonstrates our mutual concerns regarding current economic, health care, environmental, international and civil liberty challenges.

Voters demanded governmental transparency and the return of manufacturing jobs to America and insisted on ending decision making based on partisan politics and the creation of personal legacies.

They wanted leaders who will defend our country, but not through irresponsible invasions of other countries with little thought to the suffering that such wars cause.

But most of all, voters wanted a new kind of patriotism and foreign policy based on a world view which values the prosperity and well-being of all people in all nations, not just our own. When this becomes our guiding principle, our government will regain our trust and that of people everywhere.

Time will tell whether President-elect Obama and his advisors can move us closer to attaining these goals. But his election signals the beginning of a necessary and profound shift in our nation's identity and its future impact in the world.

-- Ellyn Kroupa, Madison

Obama will be role model for black youth

The euphoria in Chicago's Grant Park on Tuesday reminded me of only two other occasions I have experienced -- the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and the 1972 national election in my native Australia, when Gough Whitlam was elected prime minister after 18 years of control by the opposing party.

The effect of Barack Obama's success on all of us was moving, as seen in the crowds. What it means for the future of our country and the world remains to be seen.

What it will prove to those who doubted him is that the color of a person's skin has nothing to do with ability or intelligence. What counts is how we use those gifts we are born with.

The importance of a good education to overcome social limitations should be made obvious as an inspiration to all our youth, but especially those of African-American heritage, who now have an excellent role model to follow.

-- Kay Ziegahn, Richland Center

Local politics needs to look forward, too

The election is over -- the voters have spoken and, as should be in this great nation, the majority rules.

But that is not the case in Wisconsin. The hatred and divisiveness continues. The case in point are the continued attacks against two recently-elected state Supreme Court justices and our attorney general.

They were elected by the majority of voters, yet the minority unhappy with the results continues to bring frivolous lawsuits and charges to impair their ability to carry out the work of the people.

Now the attacks on the attorney general are in full swing. History will show that everything he has done was done by his predecessor, now Gov. Jim Doyle. Where were the attacks and lawsuits when Doyle did these things?

If we truly want this nation to heal, everyone needs to change. Let's not waste this moment looking back, but seize the moment and start looking forward.

-- M. W. "Jake" Jacobs, Madison

Bradley effect' to avoid racist label

The "Bradley effect" is a phenomenon in which a minority candidate running against a white candidate shows a larger lead in the polls than what the election reveals. This phenomenon is named after Tom Bradley, the African-American candidate for governor of California who lost in 1982 after leading in the polls right up to the election.

This effect is widely blamed by the liberal dominant media on racism. A more likely cause is people trying to avoid the accusation of racism, not racism itself.

-- Steve Downs, Avoca

His win celebrated half a world away

I have never been so glad to be wrong. While I hoped, I really didn't think I would live to see this. Just 40 years ago, your presidentelect may not even have been able to register to vote!

But he wasn't elected because he was African-American; he was elected because of his perceived beliefs and ideas shaped by his life and experiences.

John McCain was gracious, but Obama's speech was truly remarkable. It was untriumphant and serious, perfected by the story of the 106-year-old woman.

By then I'd shed a few tears, but I didn't feel quite so "soppy" when I heard people, both male and female, phone in to the radio to say they were glued to their TVs and crying -- and we're thousands of miles away and in a different country. Such widespread goodwill!

Many people in many places share your high hopes. Let's hope we all remember he is just a human being -- a special one indeed -- and in such difficult times cannot do anything alone. Let's hope he continues to surround himself with smart, committed and compassionate people. Above all, let's hope he is given time and a "fair go."

-- Terrey Trethowan, Sydney, Australia

We showed world racism is waning

I could identify with "Nations welcome Obama" in Thursday's State Journal.

In July, my husband Bill and I took a Mediterranean cruise and stopped in Athens, Greece. I was shopping when an old Greek woman struck up a conversation with me. She mentioned that the U.S. had elections this fall and wondered if we would ever elect a black man.

At that time, the Democratic Party race was still between Hillary Clinton and Obama, but I said that I didn't know for sure, but I certainly hoped that would be the case.

How happy I am that we showed the world (and this Greek woman) that we would elect the best man, and he happened to be a black man!

-- Joyce I. Nigbor, Madison

U.S. may live up to land of opportunity

Fifty years ago I emigrated from Germany to the USA because I was born and raised during a dictatorship that practiced segregation and supremacy of the white race. Once here, I found that the divisions of race, the poor and wealthy played a part in this country, too.

I found that the electrical workers union in Chicago locked out immigrants and blacks as members. I could not by hired into the trade in which I served an apprenticeship in Germany. So I became a bus driver with the Chicago Transit Authority.

This was in the country that just had won World War II and taught democracy in war-torn Germany, a country that practiced anti-Semitism. The U.S. military discovered the criminal acts of the Nazi leaders, most of them executed for crimes against humanity.

Tuesday I voted for a black man for president. The U.S. finally accepts the black race into society. I will celebrate this moment for the rest of my life. This is the country of opportunities, the best in the world, a melting pot of all nationalities, religions and races to live in peace together.

-- Wolfgang Risop, Madison

Obama revitalizes the American dream

This was an important, monumental, historic election. I am thankful for it, the world is tearfully happy with the results.

I thank Barack Obama, and his intentions, for the much-needed revitalization of the "American Dream." This election reflected and legitimized the strengthening unity of Americans against ideals of hatred that have misrepresented us for at least eight years.

For my generation (the "20 somethings"), this election proved for the first time in our voting careers that the populace can change the system.

For preceding generations, it proved that previous civil and political efforts were not in vain. And for future generations, it proved that their predecessors cared enough about them to act on their behalf.

Words like "change" and "hope" were thrown around a lot during this election. Now we look forward to working together and making those words realities. There will be problems -- there always are -- but for the moment our country can take a collective sigh of relief.

-- Robin Lee, Madison

Americans ready to take the high road

What brought about this manifestation of American spirit?

A huge part was Obama himself, his personality, concern for fairness, ability to communicate and high-mindedness.

The other part was We the People. Our sense of fair play and decency had been rubbed too far the wrong way by the leadership of the last eight years.

There was an erosion of apathy and a groundswell of energy, making people talk about the major issues, contribute money and contribute time. They spent time educating themselves, reading material, paying attention when the candidates spoke on TV and radio, listening to analysis.

And the majority decided America was going in the wrong direction. The pendulum swung; it was time for change, and Obama gave us hope.

It would be a mistake to assume the effort is over now, and our new president will take care of everything. We the People must address the economy, war, threats, energy and the environment, health care.

A healthy economy and a plethora of new jobs will be based on green living and moderating our consumption. The only way to accomplish peace is to treat all with decency and fairness.

This is the high road, and most Americans have stated that we are going to take this path.

-- Arlene D. Kanno, Wisconsin Dells

Victory sweeter if Bush cabal tried

The Obama victory is exhilarating, to say the very least. The dragon of imperialism has finally been vanquished by the American people themselves, and the world has come into the streets in one unified voice to celebrate the historic triumph of good over evil!

My only regret now is that we cannot give final and conclusive closure to these past, nightmare years by putting Bush and his entire cabal on trial before the world court for their crimes against humanity -- torture, corruption and warmongering. God am I happy!

-- Abdiel Galindo, Madison

The next question is What now?'

What a great day for America! The people have spoken, not for Barack Obama but for all of us, saying no to hate, racism and the divisive politics of old.

What will we do from here? Will some Democrats gloat? Will some Republicans continue with animosity? Will we go back to "it's my way or the highway" or will we fight for everyone's way?

We must not let this glorious moment die. We must work together to truly build a United States of America. We can have different viewpoints, but we cannot continue with hate and division. We must have respect for one another and be inclusive, not divisive.

We cannot just watch and complain about the direction of our government. We must be an active part of guiding our government. Our civic duty does not end on Election Day. God bless America,

-- Don Janz, Milwaukee

Need more change than rehash of 60s

In all the hoopla surrounding Obama's win, I was troubled by the manner in which he was ushered into this new era of politics.

I was promised change. What I saw were reminders of Martin Luther King Jr., the never-ending parade of old guard survivors of segregation marches with tearful references to "I have a dream." Not the promised "new" but a rehash of "old."

The problem with being a baby boomer is that I remember those times, the angry boycotts by the Black Student Union, the Congress of Racial Equality, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Frankly, it's one era I'd like to forget.

The election is over; the president-elect must now govern all people, from Oprah Winfrey to a cattle rancher in Wyoming who has never set foot on concrete.

I, too, remember the famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Read the entire treatise. King envisioned a world where "white children and black children" played together. The forfeiture of his life was not simply against racism and voting rights, but about entering a new age.

Let's really engage this "change" we were promised. Granted, a change back to the 1960s is a change, but I don't think that's what we expected.

-- Chico Buller, Sun Prairie