A Letter From Michael Moore

The writer, an American author and Academy Award-winning film-maker, frequently comments on U.S. politics.

After the United States presidential election, who among us wasn’t at a loss for words? Tears of joy and relief fell. We’d witnessed a stunning, whopping, landslide of hope in a time of deep despair.

In a nation founded on genocide and then built on the backs of slaves, we’d reached a remarkable moment, shocking in its simplicity. Barack Obama, a good man, a black man, vowed to bring change to Washington and most of the country liked the idea. Racists were present during the campaign and in the voting booths, but they’re no longer the majority. Before long, we’ll see their flame of hate fizzle out.

There was another important “first”. For the first time, an avowed anti-war candidate won at a time of war. I hope that President-elect Obama remembers this as he considers expanding the war in Afghanistan. Our faith will fade if he forgets the main issue that carried him through the primaries. Americans are sick and tired of war. In the election, they said so loudly and clearly.

An inexcusable 44 years had passed since a Democrat running for president had received even 51% of the vote. That’s because most Americans didn’t really like the Democrats. They saw them as rarely having the guts to get the job done or stand up for the working people they say they support. Well, here’s their chance, delivered by voters in the form of a man who isn’t a party hack or a set-for-life Beltway bureaucrat. Will he join Washington, or force the capital to be more like him? We pray for the latter.

We celebrate the election triumph of decency over personal attack, peace over war, intelligence over a belief that Adam and Eve rode on dinosaurs just 6,000 years ago. What will it be like to have a smart president? Science, banished for eight years, will return. Imagine supporting the great minds keen to cure illness, discover new energy-forms and save the planet. I know, pinch me!

We may enter a time of refreshing openness, enlightenment and creativity. Artists won’t be considered enemies. Maybe art can pursue greater truths. After Franklin Roosevelt won a landslide in 1932, then along came Frank Capra, Preston Sturgis, Woody Guthrie, John Steinbeck, Dorothea Lange and Orson Welles.

Journalists have inundated me to ask, “Gee, Mike, what will you do now that George W. Bush is gone?” Are they kidding? What’ll it be like to work and create in an environment that nurtures and supports film, the arts, science, invention and freedom to be whatever you want? Watch 1,000 flowers bloom! It’s a new era, and anything’s possible.

An African-American has been elected U.S. president. Definitely, anything is possible. We can wrestle our economy away from the reckless rich and return it to the people. Maybe every citizen can be guaranteed health care. Perhaps we’ll stop melting the polar ice-caps. War criminals may be brought to justice. Anything’s possible.

There’s big work to do in a limited time. But let’s savor this great moment. Be humble. Show Republicans the grace and goodness that Obama has exuded. Although called every name in the book, he refused to lower himself to the gutter or sling the mud back. Can we follow his example? It’ll be hard.

It’s been a long road. Our great country has endured huge damage, not to mention the many people who lost jobs, went bankrupt from medical bills or watched a loved one leave for Iraq. We’ll work to repair the damage, but it won’t be easy.

But what a way to start! Barack Hussein Obama is the 44th president of the United States. Wow! Seriously, wow!

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