BLOG January 23, 2009. Day Three. President Barack Obama is assessing the obvious; the leftovers of the Bush Administration are enormous and frightful. Conversation in the community say that Obama must work around the perceived messianic titles and challenges given by his staunch supporters and Obama will have to dig in deep to fulfill the potential and strength that will be required to receive continuous cooperation and assistance of his immediate staff and all of us who were part of his Support team when he was a candidate. In other words, the campaigning and honeymoon is over but phase three of the battle has just begun.
The world view hopefully will change as he is compared to the 43rd Presidential individuals before him. The symbolic figures of children of color in the White House, though they may be astounding to some, are reflective of the young, invigorating, impactful and change Obama spoke of that enormous energy, new judgment, great courage, deep understanding and concise execution America needs to be “grand” and a model of Democracy again.
The world will be watching what policies and risks Obama commands and will be the measure of his success. The concerns about economic and political choices are still under scrutiny. Yesterday Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State is finally approved. Yes, there were concerns over Bill’s fundraising and world donations as to whether or not they would effect the decisions that she will or will not make. However, I believe Hillary gave an eloquent response to those concerns. Geithner after serious rebuttals is officially Treasury Secretary. We can only hope that Geithner immediately finds another accountant or tax attorney so his “embarrassing moment never occurs again”. But I believe that experience will also allow him some humility when working with the masses over their tax responsibilities.
Obama brings a great deal of excitement locally. Last night our Democratic Alliance for Action met and we all discussed that we also must assist Obama by being vigilant servants where we live. Yes, politics is local right here in Santa Clarita Valley. Strides will be made to do all that we can to be vital entities of the “all red community” we currently reside in by turning it “purple”. Democrats were asked to be more ardent in participation in various 501c3’s locally; contributing our time, finding financial vehicles for the 501c3’s, informing our neighbors that their services, which receive little or no media coverage, as well as supporting them physically. We will also seek through our churches and synagogues to share in the generosity we have been blessed with so that others, whose paths have been rocky, are not excluded as we become more accountable to everyday folks and our families. We will no longer watch; we will be engaged and more active.
Meantime, we hear that it will take a minimum two years for us to feel the positive impact of Obama’s changes even though people will be putting him on a tightrope expecting signs of the smaller issues being solved. Others will be hindering change. Those who never voted for him will be critically combative to every move he makes. Is this behavior new to any of us? No, but as supporters of America’s future, we may have to address those bigots, neoconservatives and ardent naysayers who were complicit and complacent towards Bush’s policies. We all agreed it doesn’t matter what the party affiliation is of these negative folks but that our purpose is to seek a higher spiritual cause knowing the path will not be easy.
Today we learn that Obama is exploring the closing of the Guatanamo facility and efforts towards other accommodations for the “detainees” are being sought. Why did Bush round up people in the first place still amazes me? One day I welcome an opportunity of meeting George W. Bush. I only hope I could find the empathy to understand the chaos he caused Americans.
.
Hope on a Tightrope by Cornell West is also recommended reading at this time that explores many of these points of view.
Peace Out, Minerva
Comments are closed for this post.
