A reader asks Matt whether he believes the U.S.A. is closer to the ideals of peace and love, now that Barack Obama is in office as President.

Matt responds:

I think there are many signs that we are becoming more civilized and accepting of the fact that we don’t all have to be the same.

I think Barack Obama’s election was a great event that showed the world that we are a democracy made up of many different colors, races, creeds, religions, and ways of doing things.  We don’t have to give a test to each person to see if they’re black or white or Catholic or gay or straight or whatever.

I look on the election as a huge step in our democracy, and it interests me when I read of the new challenges that other cultures and other governments are giving themselves, almost as if to say, “Look what the United States did...  Why haven’t we gone down that path?”

We always say we’re the leaders of the world.  Maybe in this aspect we are.  We screwed up big time on the economic front, but maybe we made up for it in some respect in the human equation of peace, tolerance, hope, understanding, and love.  To me, that’s much longer lasting than a few more dollars in people’s pockets.

I may be criticized by many for saying that, especially in this time where cash is king.  But I think in the long run, love is king. 

Matt