Do you remember about four months ago, when Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were at each other's throat clawing to gain the Democratic Party nomination for president? Do you remember how the Republican Party reveled in the loud splintering of the Democratic party? Do you remember how the pundits waxed poetic about how the Democratic party would have to heal and become reunited after such treacherous campaigning, the greatest fear being that the Hillary supporters would jump ship and swim to John McCain's sturdy ship? Do you remember for a moment the air was sucked out of the atmosphere when John McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate and many Democrats thought their fears were being realized? Do you remember all this?
I do. And what I find amazing is that the house that is, and was, truly divided is the Republican house. Do not get me wrong, I am not happy about this but by the same token I am not surprised. I also think that the Republican party, while on shaky ground, would have survived a loss of the Presidency (they saw it coming) had it not been for Sarah Palin. One could say John McCain for picking Sarah Palin, but I would not and will not.
I think the Republican party should view this turbulent time as an opportunity to remake itself. The Republican party has splintered into not just two branches, the Bushes and the Palins, but many branches. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as no one loses sight of the roots. I have ideologically flirted with the Republican party but have always been turned off by the fact I do not see myself represented among the party. As a disenfranchised conservative Democrat, or right of center Independent (I'll accept both, but I lean Independent), the one quality that I feel is lacking in the Republican party is tolerance! As diverse/splintered as the Republican party is, one would think that there would be an appreciation, even celebration, of the differences that could prove to be the strength of the party. Maybe that is why certain minority groups who have traditionally voted Republican found themselves voting for a Democrat. Perhaps many left-leaning disenfranchised Republicans found a place to voice a difference, be heard and be appreciated for an opposing view.
Perhaps the party of Lincoln can take a cue from the President-elect and openly create a party of opposition where challenging views are met with curiosity and common sense to unite for a common good and solve more problems than are created. After all a house divided cannot stand.
Thoughts?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Level Setting Expectations II
I promise at some point I will blog about more than Obama, but right now I am in my Obamamania.
In a way I am starting to be very afraid for President Elect Obama. So many people have so many expectations. I heard a comment today on CNN from a commentator/pundit who remarked that if all of Obama's top picks (Sec of State, Treas Sec, Sec of Defense, not to mention Chief of Staff) were white guys then that (his election) was not much a change. Hmmm : This comment was in response to rumors that Governor Bill Richardson may be on a short list for Sec of State.
OK, so here are some realities to mull:
1. Health care will not be fixed the first year
2. Not every out-of-work American will be employed as of January 20, 2009
3. Not every out-of-work African-American will be employed as of January 20, 2009
4. The economy will not rebound because it too is drunk off the hope espoused by the election of Obama
5. Obama will not betray the voters if a lot of his appointments are white males (if they all are, well . . . I might have to raise my eyebrow)
6. The new administration cannot come to the aid of every ailing American industry. While the autos may get a shot in the arm (or electric shock to the chest) they still must find a way manage responsibly, become a friend to environment, and lift the community it sits weightily in
Just some things to think about
In a way I am starting to be very afraid for President Elect Obama. So many people have so many expectations. I heard a comment today on CNN from a commentator/pundit who remarked that if all of Obama's top picks (Sec of State, Treas Sec, Sec of Defense, not to mention Chief of Staff) were white guys then that (his election) was not much a change. Hmmm : This comment was in response to rumors that Governor Bill Richardson may be on a short list for Sec of State.
OK, so here are some realities to mull:
1. Health care will not be fixed the first year
2. Not every out-of-work American will be employed as of January 20, 2009
3. Not every out-of-work African-American will be employed as of January 20, 2009
4. The economy will not rebound because it too is drunk off the hope espoused by the election of Obama
5. Obama will not betray the voters if a lot of his appointments are white males (if they all are, well . . . I might have to raise my eyebrow)
6. The new administration cannot come to the aid of every ailing American industry. While the autos may get a shot in the arm (or electric shock to the chest) they still must find a way manage responsibly, become a friend to environment, and lift the community it sits weightily in
Just some things to think about
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Level Setting Expectations
Can you believe it!!! I truly never thought that I would see a Black President in my lifetime. Call me what you want, and I am sure you will, but I really never had that much faith that the majority culture had the ability to trust the son of a people that they enslaved, and moreover fought to enslave a race of people. These words may seem harsh to the majority, white Americans, but they come from a place of honesty and history. I am not that person to blame racism for all the ills of the black community, I am that person who demands personal accountability no matter the skin you were born in, but my experience has been that for whatever reason many white people fear and distrust Black people. And, as a result, whites have been very discerning about who they allow in to take advantage of class fluidity, and how many, for that matter. I have to say that the fear and distrust that white people display against Black people has always baffled me, given that history would suggest that the fear and distrust should go in the other direction.
Beyond race, and hear me that I want to get beyond race and that I do not expect that the conversation about race will be stuck where it has been for the last 40 years, Barack Obama's election as the next President has set some very high expectations. There are many people who truly seek the second coming. There are people who expect that President Elect Obama has or will have all the answers to society's current and future woes. Obama inspired a nation to hope for the future and and not fear. Such inspiration carries the high price tag of expectations.
President Elect Obama made a most inspiring and profound victory speech last night November 4, he said that this election was about us and a win for us as a nation. Indeed what he was saying is we won this election to work together. In so many words he challenged us to ask not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for this country. No matter your political philosophy Obama is wise enough to see that our current situation can only be cured by us coming together and taking up for the least of these. He realized that it is going to take every single one of us coming together and lifting our country back to its greatness.
I believe that our voting for the best candidate, in spite of his race, is evidence that we are starting to see each other as fellow Americans. This new sense of solidarity will be the substance that we draw upon to come together and address and overcome our current difficulties. In the next four years, I hope that we can all think back to Barack Obama's words on November 4, 2008 when he said that this will be difficult and that he needs our help, our service and our sacrifice. In the next four years, when you desire to complain about what is being done and not done, remember Barack Obama's words and get to work, make a change and make this country better because Yes, We CAN!
Beyond race, and hear me that I want to get beyond race and that I do not expect that the conversation about race will be stuck where it has been for the last 40 years, Barack Obama's election as the next President has set some very high expectations. There are many people who truly seek the second coming. There are people who expect that President Elect Obama has or will have all the answers to society's current and future woes. Obama inspired a nation to hope for the future and and not fear. Such inspiration carries the high price tag of expectations.
President Elect Obama made a most inspiring and profound victory speech last night November 4, he said that this election was about us and a win for us as a nation. Indeed what he was saying is we won this election to work together. In so many words he challenged us to ask not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for this country. No matter your political philosophy Obama is wise enough to see that our current situation can only be cured by us coming together and taking up for the least of these. He realized that it is going to take every single one of us coming together and lifting our country back to its greatness.
I believe that our voting for the best candidate, in spite of his race, is evidence that we are starting to see each other as fellow Americans. This new sense of solidarity will be the substance that we draw upon to come together and address and overcome our current difficulties. In the next four years, I hope that we can all think back to Barack Obama's words on November 4, 2008 when he said that this will be difficult and that he needs our help, our service and our sacrifice. In the next four years, when you desire to complain about what is being done and not done, remember Barack Obama's words and get to work, make a change and make this country better because Yes, We CAN!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Today is the Day
I am watching CNN and it is like slow death. That is not to say that it is bad, but that it is painful and excruciating to watch the results come in like a leaking faucet. I am baffled at how a state can be called with 0% precincts reporting. Go figure!
My goal today was to go around and see the excitement of the election. It turned out that I played stay-at-home mom to my out-of-school children. Instead, I planted myself behind my television and computer and let CNN provide the pictures of excitement.
I have only one real thought for today -- until the election is called -- and that is I think it is civically irresponsible not to vote. The country that we know and love was started as a result of the inability to vote. Several angry and inspired men decided to toss tea into the Boston Harbor, their battle cry "No taxation without representation." Three years later a nation was born.
For years after these momentous events, many people fought and died to ensure that the right to vote was not limited to a few, but to all Americans. To not vote today, or in any election, is to disregard the blood, sweat, and tears of so many brave and determined men and women.
The polls are closed now, and hope that all of you let your voice be heard. If you did not, I do not want to hear you until the next election!
My goal today was to go around and see the excitement of the election. It turned out that I played stay-at-home mom to my out-of-school children. Instead, I planted myself behind my television and computer and let CNN provide the pictures of excitement.
I have only one real thought for today -- until the election is called -- and that is I think it is civically irresponsible not to vote. The country that we know and love was started as a result of the inability to vote. Several angry and inspired men decided to toss tea into the Boston Harbor, their battle cry "No taxation without representation." Three years later a nation was born.
For years after these momentous events, many people fought and died to ensure that the right to vote was not limited to a few, but to all Americans. To not vote today, or in any election, is to disregard the blood, sweat, and tears of so many brave and determined men and women.
The polls are closed now, and hope that all of you let your voice be heard. If you did not, I do not want to hear you until the next election!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Obama in Ohio
. . . Cincinnati that is! Ok, so tonight, I and thousands of other folks waited for a long time to see Barack Obama speak at the Nippert Stadium where the UC Bearcat football team plays. This was the first presidential political rally that I have attended since Jesse Jackson ran for president in 1988. This is the first time I have ever canvassed for a presidential candidate, and the first time I have volunteered for a presidential campaign since Bill Clinton's in 1991.
The feeling of excitement and anticipation was exhilarating. It was a moving experience to share with people you do not know and to whom you were never formally introduced. I have developed many thoughts about what it means to be an American and what it means to live in America. One thing I truly appreciate about Americans is the kindred spirit in which we gather. There are not many places where people of so many different races, colors, creeds, genders, cultures, and religions can come together for a common goal. While there is a deep and sordid history that continues to haunt us as a nation, it is amazing what happens when we come together with a shared purpose.
I was so moved by my experience tonight. I am ecstatic to have shared my evening with people seeking to bring about a change through the most basic right we all share as Americans.
PS - I also got to see Candy Crowley from CNN . . . I might have been just excited to see her as I was Barack.
Pictures coming soon; the event was at 9 PM, I gotta get some sleep.
TTYL
The feeling of excitement and anticipation was exhilarating. It was a moving experience to share with people you do not know and to whom you were never formally introduced. I have developed many thoughts about what it means to be an American and what it means to live in America. One thing I truly appreciate about Americans is the kindred spirit in which we gather. There are not many places where people of so many different races, colors, creeds, genders, cultures, and religions can come together for a common goal. While there is a deep and sordid history that continues to haunt us as a nation, it is amazing what happens when we come together with a shared purpose.
I was so moved by my experience tonight. I am ecstatic to have shared my evening with people seeking to bring about a change through the most basic right we all share as Americans.
PS - I also got to see Candy Crowley from CNN . . . I might have been just excited to see her as I was Barack.
Pictures coming soon; the event was at 9 PM, I gotta get some sleep.
TTYL
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
