Transition shows our strength

Six days from today the United States of America will swear into office its 44th president.

That, in itself, is a remarkable achievement. Few nations on this planet can claim such a long history of peaceful transitions of power.

Much will be made of this particular, unique history-making presidency, the first black to become president. Yet, in some ways, all those comments will miss the mark. Barack Obama is not just an African-American. He is simply an American. He took advantage of the opportunities presented and allowed in this country, and is now the leader of the most powerful nation on earth.

Most importantly, his election tells the world that the United States really is what it says it is, a land of equal opportunity, an ideal that was fundamental in the creation of this country by the founding fathers. We think they'd be proud.

It wasn't easy getting to this point. A lot of ancient cultural baggage had to be set aside along the way. But that is the great thing about America and being an American. We do more than give lip service to our ideals, we actually strive to achieve them. We're not perfect, and there are still many areas in which we can improve, but the rest of the world has noticed and admired us for the efforts we make to actually live up to all our ideals.

Next Tuesday's transition demonstrates, more than anything else, the fact that the rule of law is supreme in our country. We may argue bitterly over policy and which laws should be adopted, revoked or revised, but when all is said and done -- we obey those laws. We accept the rulings of our courts and the will of the voters.

The president-elect faces enormous challenges. Few presidents have entered office with some many vital issues staring him in the face that must be dealt with as quickly as possible. He must find ways to seek consensus and compromise with Congress rapidly, both within and outside his own party, in order to achieve solutions that will be effective.

But that also is part of the wonderful process that is the United States of America. Government does not rule by decree, but by consent of a majority. No one man, president, justice or congressman, controls our fate. It is always in our own hands in the end.

Obama has offered the potential promise of a new era in American politics, one where partisan bickering will give way to consensus, where argument will give way to reasoned debate.

If Obama can make that change alone, he will have succeeded and his place in history will be something more than mere genetic heritage.

This transition of power offers new hope for America, and we pray that hope will be realized, for all our sakes.

-- Kelly Everitt