When a man is willing to risk everything for what he believes to be true, it can be inferred through history that such a man is either an exceptional leader or a psychotic brand of extremist.

Through the history we know, and what we have been taught; it should not be difficult for anyone - regardless of education or upbringing - to make this distinction. In the case of our current president, I believe we have the former.

Place yourself for a moment in the shoes of a black man with an unfavorable name who assumed the executive branch of government in the most unfavorable of circumstances. I have witnessed firsthand, a flurry of criticisms directed at our new president. Most of them have simply been because he is presumed to be the man in charge.

We do not live in a country under control of an evil dictator. Our government has multiple branches which function under the founding design of checks and balances. The Congress proposes the laws. The president either approves or vetoes the laws. The Supreme Court remains a body of jurisprudence in case the other leaders would abuse their powers. In the current state of our nation, I feel that this design still functions normally. Checks and balances.

What should be remembered by all citizens of the United States is that our situation is difficult. In these times, I have found our president to be both courageous and level-headed. In fact, his leadership seems to me to have blossomed. We are, I feel, in the presence of a sound leader. We are, I feel, lucky to have as a president, a man who will play the game of politics while always encouraging the populous to look beyond historical prosperity and into the future. Many a leader - both morally sound and corrupt - has claimed a vision for days beyond the present. I feel strongly that President Obama's agenda supports the children of all social and financial classes. There is nothing to be lost in democracy, by considering the whole picture. There is nothing to be gained through selfishness when the integrity of our system depends on the sovereign right of all citizens.

I feel strongly that our enemies would seek to turn the citizens of the United States against themselves. Will we succumb to the pressures of financial turmoil? If so, then the likes of Osama Bin Laden have already won. What I see in the White House, is a family committed - beyond reason - to guiding our nation past the current hazards and into a future where we can in fact brag to our grandchildren. We survived the onslaught of financial recession, ideological warfare, and the climactic repercussions of technological advancement.

The job of captain of a large ship is never easy, even when waters are calm and the crew is peaceful. WE do not enjoy these current luxuries; but everyday I think about an external perspective - where an omniscient eye watches the ship and considers the actions and choices of the passengers and crew. It will be easier at present to sink the ship while the inhabitants fight amongst themselves. Indeed our current situation may be the product of a socio-political warfare waged by our enemies. Will we be divided and conquered? Or will we consider those consequences and find enlightenment? I choose the latter, and because of my choice, I choose President Obama in the present and the near future.

My strong feeling is that this man is not another blasé representative of tired rhetoric, but a man who understands the preciousness of our present. I voted for him because he envisioned a way to succeed. An old adage from our forefathers remains: united we stand, divided we fall. President Obama has not acted to force a limited ideology onto the populous. Rather he has encouraged a unity of common sense and freethinking. He has encouraged the United States to solve our problems through the workmanship of humanity. As the representative of the people, his job function has been fulfilled. He leads us to a solution. Whether or not we accept the possibilities will be the determining factor.

Sometimes, when you stand back and look at the big picture, all the harrowing facts can melt away. Obama gives us an opportunity to survive in an era of declined prosperity. I believe that if we the people can act with moral dignity and common sense, we may again enjoy an age of growth and natural preservation. A man with vision has already warned us of catastrophe; but he has also allowed us to make our own choices as individuals and collective groups.

We are all sailing on the same boat. Each of us carries the responsibility for success or failure. It is fair, it is just, and it is by all means an exceptional opportunity to create a workable future. Cast your votes. Sink or swim, we are all in this together.