Editorial: Our job is not over

Tuesday night was historic, epic, inspiring, tear inducing and incredible.

Voters turned out in record numbers to elect the son of a Kenyan man and a young woman from Kansas to the presidency of the United States. Four years ago, that notion seemed more than unlikely–it was a near-impossible dream.

Three days ago, more than 64 million Americans spoke as one to make that dream more than just a fleeting notion.

Young and minority voters had their voices heard like never before, and more importantly, the election restored the idea that this country’s government is truly a democracy by the people, for the people.

This election should be especially important to students, who will hopefully benefit from President-elect Barack Obama’s plan to make higher education and healthcare more affordable and accessible than ever before.

In Oregon, voters ousted Republican Gordon Smith from the U.S. Senate and elected Democrat Jeff Merkley, who will be an excellent partner for Sen. Ron Wyden.

Oregonians also defeated several dangerous ballot measures that would have had disastrous effects on our education system. In particular, measures 58, 59, 60 and 62 would have signaled a troubling disinvestment in education in our state.

Americans awoke Wednesday morning to a new reality, one filled with optimism for the future despite a country embroiled in two wars and struggling to survive a deep economic recession.

There is a true sense of momentum now, and it would be a shame to believe that the fight to change the country ended with the election.

Instead, it’s just beginning.

Obama asked all of us in his acceptance speech Tuesday evening to do our part in “remaking” America and spoke of a “new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.” Those weren’t empty words.

If you voted for Obama and would like to see his campaign promises come true, the onus rests not solely on the 44th President, not on Congress, not on local government but on each of us to be prepared to do what is necessary when the time comes.

Everyone must find their own way to contribute to assure that the hard-fought gains we have won do not die.

The possibilities are limitless. Join the armed services, or become a member of the civilian corps of volunteers Obama hopes to create. It could be as simple as driving less, or choosing to become one of the thousands of new teachers the country needs.

Dare to dream, and then do–that is the point of this election.