What does "Hope" mean to you?

[TACstrat]

I'm curious how others here interperet Obama's campaign of "Hope". I've bought into his message of Hope 100% and do not believe it is just another empty campaign slogan from a typical candidate. I truly believe Obama intends to fulfill his vision of a better America. Hope to me means:

- a return back to a government "for the people and by the people"

- a rearrangement of this nations priorities to solve the biggest problems facing us by intelligently balancing potential effectiveness with cost

- a restoration of the nation's global reputation through mutual respect, honesty, tough diplomacy, and selective, effective use of force when necessary

- a call to every American to play a personal role in helping their communities and their neighbors

- a realistic economic plan to secure this vision for future generations through education reform, investment in technology, a call to community service, and a realization that we are only as strong as the weakest amoung us.

What does it mean to you?

[LiberalHeart]

1. To me, it's a place in Arkansas.

[Arkana]

2. That we can finally stop wasting billions of dollars in Iraq.

That our government will finally be accountable again.

That everything out of the White House's mouth won't be a fucking lie.

That there is a way out of this darkness we've fallen into--a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm only 23, but I want to be able to raise a kid in an Obama presidency.

That's hope for me. I want a reason to trust my government again.

[Hepburn]

3. The fat cats ~~ corporate America ~~ stop being the end all and be all...

...for favors and preference from our government and such things as medical care, education and justice are placed at the top of the priority list.

JMHO

[Captain Hilts]

4. I thought it was mindless pap with Bill Clinton and think the same with Obama....

I want to hear specifics from a campaign. I just had to wait a while.

'Change' is more tangible to me and I respond to it better.

[polichick]

7. I feel the way you do...

...and even better than the word "change" is something more specific like, "It's time for the American people to take back our government."

[Captain Hilts]

11. Yes! "Lose Dumb People in the White House - Ask me How!" nt

[Starry Messenger]

5. To me it just means he is running on a positive message.

I don't buy into most campaign slogans. But in the context you can tell that Obama wants to do the best he can for all of us. All I'm hoping for really is that he can stop the sucking chest wounds caused by Bush and his cronies. That's going to take the first four years at least. Anyone looking for a lot of extras is probably going to be disappointed.

[stillcool]

6. For me its the antidote..

for fear. Fear is paralyzing. Fear makes bad decisions. Fear is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Fear is the underlying factor in arrogance, bigotry and hatred. It is a lot easier to be afraid than it is to have hope. I'm sick of being more afraid of life than I am of death. I choose hope, and have to remind myself on a daily basis that it is mine to choose.

[Justpat]

8. Hope is what people cling to before they devise a plan.

I detest the political or spiritual message of hope. It implies that you are
sitting there in a passive mode waiting for something to happen.

Obama's early message of hope really turned me off. Change is better as long as it is
coupled with specifics for ACTION.

[stillcool]

10. just like people cling to fear..

although it is much easier to be consumed by fear than it is by hope, right?

[Captain Hilts]

12. You and me both, Old Broad!

ER: Three cheers for Old Broads!

[TACstrat]

9. I see it differently ...

"Hope" is much more powerful message to me than "Change".

Hell, electing a redneck, moose killing, PTA hockey mom would definitely be a change, but wouldn't give me much hope.

Maybe "Hope" and "Change" need to go hand in hand?