President-Elect Barack Obama’s victory speech late Tuesday night (into Wednesday morning here on the east coast) was inspirational and clear.  He spoke about the record number of voters, which seems to be renewing, if not already, individual’s pride in our nation.  He talked about, in general, what we should expect for the weeks, months and years to come.  He reminded listeners what his election means, a chance to make changes.  Obama eloquently harkened back to the founding of our country as well as the words of Abraham Lincoln, whose political home state was also Illinois.

Whatever apathy rested around the fate of the United States of America fizzled away to nothing more than air when, on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, voters waited in line for up to four hours (perhaps even longer) to make their voices heard.  America should be proud of this election, not simply for the history-making result, but because this was an election truly owned by Americans.  As a nation, we were able to rise above the residual apathy surrounding the voting faux pas of the 2004 election.  This November, wearing an “I voted” sticker was a matter of pride, dignity and duty.

Barack Obama’s speech didn’t sugarcoat our nation’s current situation.  He reminded us of the “long road ahead,” but also that he’s hopeful that over the coming years we will ultimately succeed in our goals, in changing what needs to be changed in order to improve the lives of not only Americans, but people around the globe.  Hearing a political speech that reminds listeners that there will be, as Obama put it, false starts, before we find the right path for the issues before us is refreshing as it lacks the all-around promise that everything will be instantly wonderful and perfect.

In his speech, Obama reminded listeners that his victory in this election is not his alone but belongs to everyone, and that this victory represents a chance to make changes.  He talked about America’s governmental progress throughout the nation’s history and used a metaphor of laying bricks.  If each change we see over the course of his term or terms is a layer of bricks, then this election is the first coating of mortar.  He reminded the nation that in order to make these changes, every individual must renew his or her “spirit of service, sacrifice, patriotism and responsibility.”

Obama quoted President Abraham Lincoln when he was speaking about how each of us must work together in order to achieve our goals.  “We are not enemies, but friends.  Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.”  As our 44th President pointed out after quoting our 16th, the time for bi-partisan pettiness, as he put it, is at an end.  One final sentence during which Obama spoke to all Americans, regardless of background or political belief, stuck out above all others.  “I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices; I need your help and I will be your President too.”

And of course, everyone wants to know what kind of puppy Barack Obama is buying for his daughters to bring to the White House.

Change is the catalyst for evolution, and the internet will continue to evolve, especially when it comes to plans for Next-Generation broadband that will bring the internet to communities nationwide.  Let’s do our part, and work together, to maximize the utilization of the internet so that we can heal our economy and provide security for businesses throughout the country, including yours.