GorillaGal, there is an old saying, "If you live in hope, you will die in despair".
I am of the opinion that the system of government in America is such that it is beyond redemption, until a totally different administration is put in place, it will remain so whoever takes the leadership.
Your nation has lost it's credibility over the past decade or so, it has lost the respect of most of the world due to it's cowardly attack on the innocent people of Iraq.
A positive and visible change is necessary if your nation is to reclaim it's lost attributes, I think Hillary Clinton will only serve to uphold the same policies as her predecessor, whereas Barack Obama will at least demonstrate that your nation has progressed in one small direction, by recognizing the superiority of the black culture which they failed to destroy despite the persecution of them.
Barack Obama may not be able to change much, your system is too far gone it seems, but at least there is some justice in having a black president as it's leader.