Hope and Change...
Big words huh? So what now? Most of you know that I'm a Conservative. I believe that for the most part we are a conservative nation as well. I don't mean Republican; putting party labels on things, in my opinion, serves no end but to pull people apart into opposing camps and as long as we're pointing fingers across isles we won't get anything meaningful done. I mean conservative as in I want to "conserve" family values, I want to "conserve" our environment and our resources and I want to "conserve" the stability of our economy. I voted, but I didn't vote for Obama, for that matter I didn't vote for McCain either. So now, I'm in the position of HOPING that CHANGE really is possible some how.
In his inauguration address, our new President Obama said these words,
In his inauguration address, our new President Obama said these words,
"In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom."
I don't know how that strikes me to be honest. I believe it on the face of it, but somehow it just rings too... what's the word... naive perhaps? As I said, I agree with it on the face of it. There have been multitudes of people, as he said, that have laboured in obscurity. And our freedoms have come to us via no small loss. Is it still true in the majority though? Are we still willing to earn it?
Our journey has had shortcuts and settling for less. More and more of it of late as a matter of fact. I know I'm guilty of buying the cheaper items because while it may be lesser quality it is more affordable than either paying more or not getting the item. It has become a journey, in no small part, for those who prefer leisure and seek only riches and fame. If you're not sure of that look only to the selfish corruption in so many corporations and banks or to the vapid fame of the reality shows where anyone can sell themselves for a bit of spotlight.
Yeah, I'm all for hope and change, I guess I just need a little more "meat" to understand how we're going to get there.
I pray for President Obama, that he will have wisdom in these very trying times. That he will be able to prove to me that he is more than a slogan and that he can continue to find that elusive way to inspire the American people even when they get tired of the sacrifices and inconveniences that are facing many of them. I pray that we, the American people can live up to our own expectations and rather than follow an inspiring speaker, can lead the way to what is right and good for us in the long run not necessarily just today.
I have hope. Hope for change and hope for our future. I hope you do too.
Namaste.
P~
10 comments:
Very well written.
No one can live up to the expectations Obama has before him. I, for one, am giving him the benefit of the doubt and I really want him to successfully lead this country.
Very refreshing. Your's is the first post that I've read that seems to have come from actual thought and not emotional elation. I completely agree with you, our problems in this country are far deeper than the leader at the head and they will not be fixed by one man.
I find it interesting that for the last 8 years that his supporters have been so disrespectful and not willing to work together for the common good, but now that their man is in they're crying for us all to work together. These are the some of the very things that are dividing our country and causing problems. No one is willing to be a person of character.
It seems like everyone fights their party lines and not for the important things like; respect, honesty, character, truth, responsibility, hard work, making the hard choice.
After spending the last 2 months watching the cabinet and subcabinet appointments and reading through the new recovery plans, I'm feeling less hopeful of change and feel it's politics as usual in Washington. I hope I'm wrong.
Thank you, you wrote just how I feel. I also like what Chiot's Run wrote as well. I just hope all goes well....
Great Post, and amen!tp
Well Done. My own political predisposition means I usually sigh when reading work from self identified conservatives, but you have so clearly and unrhetorically laid your case that I cant help but want to shake your hand from half a nation away.
I for one hate labels as well, and I think the questions asked have more to do with where the nation stands than does the self perception of the individual. Are we a center left or center right nation? Depends on how you phrase the questions. I think the strength of our new president lies not in his experience or ability but his capacity to invigorate and inspire. He seems acutely aware of that, and thus far determined to put it to good use. If the people don't shift into action, all the well intentioned government reform wont matter. I think he's the right man for the right moment, but then again I voted for him, (even though I would have preferred Kucinich during the primary.)
I think this whole exercise just goes to show you that our perception of "the other side" might have more to do with the differences that we are told exist more than those that actually exist. Lord knows I have my reservations too, I think whether we admit it or not we all do, and with expectations this high there are bound to be disappointments. Lets just hope they become lessons learned for all involved.
(I meant to say unrhetorically in the first comment, but it wouldn't let me edit)
You said: "I pray for President Obama, that he will have wisdom in these very trying times. That he will be able to prove to me that he is more than a slogan and that he can continue to find that elusive way to inspire the American people even when they get tired of the sacrifices and inconveniences that are facing many of them. I pray that we, the American people can live up to our own expectations and rather than follow an inspiring speaker, can lead the way to what is right and good for us in the long run not necessarily just today."
I could have written this. I feel the exact same way. I am a mixed bag. On social issues, I am a Liberal; however, economically, I am pretty conservative. Interesting that you and I seem to have the same POV here, though.
BTW, isn't "earning it" a Conservative value? I believe that "earning it" is probably THE best path to any sort of gain. Just a side note.
I DID vote for Obama; however, I am not naieve enough to hold him up as any kind of savior (as we lefties are often accused of.) I voted for him and put my faith in his ability to lead, because I feel our nation has desperately needed a new, fresh, different perspective for at least a decade. That is what he represents to me--a new way. I will be watching him, however. If he does not deliver, I will not vote for him if he runs again.
~The Hippie
Chiot's Run said: "After spending the last 2 months watching the cabinet and subcabinet appointments and reading through the new recovery plans, I'm feeling less hopeful of change and feel it's politics as usual in Washington. I hope I'm wrong."
This is also exactly how I feel. I DO know that one person cannot fix ALL of the mess we are in; however, his decisions will be very telling.
So far, his staffing picks are not making me happy.
~The Hippie
I agree. His staff picks, well at least 1, scares me. I feel there are too many of us out there that prefer to ride the success of others rather than building our own. And I find it distressful that a community boos one president while claiming we are one and should work together. As long as we keep training our children that everything is a right and not a privilege, we will never change. I hold my tongue when it comes to the new president. I did not vote for him, but he is are president none the less. I will give him time to see what he actually does before I give my opinion.
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