BY SHARON MARTIN

I voted for Obama, which is a risky admission in this reddest of red states. I believe he is a good man, an altruistic one who believes we all deserve health care and a chance. I don’t care much for his education policy, but we will have time to talk about that after the celebrating is over.

I vote for issues, although I’m not immune to emotional and ideological motivations. However, one thing that may be most telling about the two candidates, that makes me believe I made the right choice, isn’t about issues or ideology either one; it’s about speeches.

President Obama delivered a gracious winning speech early on Wednesday morning. He had also written a concession speech, if one had been necessary. He did not take the American electorate [or his opponents] for granted.

Gov. Romney delivered his gracious concession speech, also in the wee hours, shortly before President Obama spoke. It appears, however, that he hadn’t prepared in advance for the concession, that he hadn’t even written a concession speech. Was it arrogance, a no-way-I-can-possibly-lose decision? Maybe he just didn’t want to jinx himself.

I do believe we are in this together. The election’s over and it’s time to get to work on issues. The first thing we have to do is quit chasing our economy over the cliff like it’s a herd of prehistoric Mastodons. No, the first thing we have to do is quit bickering like pre-teen siblings so we can even tackle the tough economic jobs.

May all our elected officials be as gracious as Misters Romney and Obama were in their speeches! Well, one can dream.

–  Sharon Martin lives in Oilton, OK and is a regular contributor to The Oklahoma Observer