Just do the right thing.

So, this election year has brought out a lot of emotion. I think we should all remember something John McCain said in his concession speech: "No matter what, we are all fellow Americans." If the losing Presidential candidate can pledge to serve his country and his President, then why can't everyone else who believed and campaigned for him?

Some of the best things about our country (I feel) -- we can say what we want, vote how we want, and in the end we should all stand together.

People who don't want to stand together can move. There are many other countries that do things differently. I have friends who have traveled and found countries they like better. And they go there and live happily. But, I love this country. I love the passion and the energy and the democracy. There are some things I don't love for sure. But this is the place I want to be.

I personally want what's best for our country. Only time will tell what will change. Only time will tell if things will get better.

One thing that struck me in particular this election was some information I saw on the news about Proposition 8 in California -- to overturn the amendment that allows gay marriage in that state. As a person who has been Catholic my whole life, I can honestly say I wish people, groups and churches would focus energy, time, and money on positive matters.

Proposition 8 was some of the highest media spending done across the elections, second only to the actual Presidential election. Churches spent millions of dollars to advertise it.

My main question is... aren't there lots of good causes such as starving, homeless people around the world that could benefit from these millions of dollars? I get that candidates can choose ads to run and money to spend, but just seems that there could be a better use of those funds. But, rather, these groups focus on a message of hate and negativity. Seems a bit odd to me.

I saw something recently where someone commented that churches do spend millions on those things I mentioned, but it's not good press.

That is so not true.

As someone who works in marketing, I can very much assure you one thing: It actually is the best press.

Companies pay tons of money (millions and billions) to public relations experts to make themselves look good. Tons. PR, social marketing, consumer awareness, goodwill -- these are all big areas to focus on for any entity who has marketing dollars to spend. Marketing dollars are more and more getting allocated to this sort of messaging: positive, sustainable, green.

But that's what I love about our country. I can think and say what I want. And you can think and say what you want. So, please... do.

PS - All we need is love :)