Change is in the air
No matter who you are or what you believe in, the victory speech on November 4th 2008 didn’t leave a whole lot to ask for. It was impossible to miss the sense of fulfillment, joy, and liberation from agony, partisan divide, bigotry, and disrespect that had been plaguing this country for decades. Barack Obama represents a generation that is full of hope. Hope, as opposed to fear, is a very unruly emotion which rarely ever stands a chance in politics. Obama has helped unleash it.
I supported Bob Barr and Ron Paul and still find my beliefs reflected in their ideals. It is impossible for a libertarian to be moved by speeches from mainstream politicians. But Obama has shown me that he is not one of them. His speech has moved me and given me a genuine sense of assurance which I had been looking for during his campaign and in his programme.
Every true libertarian must have rejoiced during passages of his speech:
“…There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree…”
“…Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House — a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress…”
“…As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, ‘We are not enemies, but friends… Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.’ And, to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president, too…”
“…Tonight, we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope…”
These words have resounded throughout the country. From the shores of Southern California all the way up to the waterways of Maine, people have listened. From rainy Seattle down to tropical Miami, America has heard the calling. From the San Francisco Bay to Lady Liberty, from the islands of Hawaii to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, America has listened in unity and approved the message.
Everywhere in America, it is impossible to deny it, change is in the air. From partisan divide and bigotry, change is in the air. From international hostility, ridicule and needless wars, change is in the air. From imperialism and megalomania, change is in the air. From Patriot Acts, unwarranted wiretapping, secret prisons and tribunals, and infringements upon our most basic civil liberties, change is in the air.
Now is the time to make that change happen. But a democracy is nothing without a consistently vigilant people. It is up to us to help President Obama help us. Where we agree, we need to show him that he’s on the right way. Where we believe he is wrong, we need to make our voices heard. This is what he himself asked of us. He strikes me as a genuinely curious man who listens to others.
Thus I will remain highly critical of Obama’s economic plans. If he embarks upon policies that are bound to fail and cause more problems down the road, I will voice my opinion. But right now is not the time for that.
In 1972, America had a stab at electing a true candidate by the people and for the people. But America wasn’t ready for George McGovern. He was ahead of his time. His acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, however, still remains timeless. More than 35 years later, America has woken up to his call:
“…From secrecy and deception in high places; come home, America
From military spending so wasteful that it weakens our nation; come home, America.
From the entrenchment of special privileges in tax favoritism; from the waste of idle lands to the joy of useful labor; from the prejudice based on race and sex; from the loneliness of the aging poor and the despair of the neglected sick — come home, America.
Come home to the affirmation that we have a dream. Come home to the conviction that we can move our country forward.
Come home to the belief that we can seek a newer world, and let us be joyful in that homecoming, for this “is your land, this land is my land — from California to New York island, from the redwood forest to the gulf stream waters — this land was made for you and me…”
America is coming home.
President Obama, I congratulate you on your outstanding accomplishment. I welcome the prospect of the change you intend to bring. And even though I don’t agree on everything with you, after years of disappointments and frustration, it feels good to finally be able to say: “This president is my president, too.”
Related posts:
- Germany Votes for Change – Free Democratic Party Posts Best Results Ever
- Prolonged Detention – Change?
- Ron Paul on Iraq – Obama Offers No Change
- Past 8 Presidents Since 1970 ALL Promised Big Change on Energy Policy
- Obama Promises More of the Same
- Give Libery and Freedom a Chance … For a Change
- Ron Paul Head to Head With Obama in New Poll; The Ideas Matter, The Politics Don’t
- Obama’s Handling of Economy – As of Latest Poll More Disapprove Than Approve
- Bravo, Mr. Obama
- College Grads Move Back Home – Time to Reflect and Change Attitudes
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