This country is like a ship that has been battered and tossed by a series of storms. She is now far off course and, being captained by a leader as lost as the ship herself, is beginning to flounder...economically, militarily, and humanitarily.
Now, we as Americans, want to believe we have found someone to steer us not just back on course, but on a course better than we've ever charted before. By the millions, we are putting our trust in the leadership of Barack Obama.
I wonder, what are we really asking of him? What will success do to him? I don't fret that success will change his values, make him think he is entitled or better than his fellow Americans. No, I fear that we will suck away every drop of his energy with our own hopes, dreams, and neediness.
Watching him interact with the public, he knows what this job requires of him...is readily investing his intellect and compassion in the future of this country and the future of its citizens. Already he is giving everything that he has. But as I gaze at photo essays of him writing a speech, silently contemplating before taking the stage, eyes closed on the campaign bus or watching out the window of is campaign plane...he is always thinking...but thinking what? Sometimes he looks calm, sometimes lonely, sometimes it seems he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Already he has aged in just these quick four years since the last convention. Lies about him and his family rocket around the world via the internet; many trivialize his greatest assets of intellect and eloquence as if these were marks of incompetence; some threaten his very life.
Why would anybody want to go through this ugly process to gain a job that requires so much? that ages a person fourteen years in the span of four? And is it even fair of me to ask for such a sacrifice from this honest person who lives the Golden Rule, always asking himself, "How would that make me feel?" before acting or reacting to baseless and petty attacks from the right.
Barack Obama answers the first question for me with every speech and townhall meeting...to restore my American dreams, to ensure justice and equality and dignity for all, to make a better way for my children.
As for the second question, all I can say is I am greedy and I am needy. I want his leadership, his ideas, his energy. I want the future that he has outlined in speeches and detailed in his policy papers. I want, I want, I want.
When he takes the Oath of Office, I will cry tears of joy for the future of this country. As I watch him age throughout his Presidency, I will cry tears of worry for his health. And as this country strengthens and recharts its course under his leadership, I will thank God for his willing sacrifice of self.
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