The honeymoon is over! The honeymoon is over! That is the message Americans hear nearing the completion of President Barack Obama’s first month in office. So far no one has disclosed exactly when and where this ultra secret wedding took place with President Obama, nor have there been photos of the reception or alleged honeymoon released. What is known is that the analogy is not only phoned-in but also inaccurate and almost offensive in the attempt to describe what many people would call common sense: President Obama has formidable opposition and a slew of challenges ahead of him if he plans to redirect the entire country and create a seat for the United States in the International community that doesn’t leave behind traces of deceit, bloodshed, and environmental apathy.Even with all the emotion, energy, hype, support and hope, the idea of “change” going to Washington and then “change” coming from Washington was and will always be embedded in reality. Team Obama and supporters were not blinded by the sheer victory experienced November 4, 2008, nor did they assume that the road to a fruitful America was going to be just a hop and a skip away. The only people who assumed this are the same people in shock and awe at how our agony-inducing economy hasn’t been reversed in a matter of weeks and disappointed at the fact that President Obama isn’t magic. Expectations are high and essentially keep getting higher for the man with the toughest job in the world. As promises seem to begin to break and appointees appear to be only human, can America rise to the challenge of patience? Patience is among the founding fathers of hope.
Yet there is a darker reality lurking in shadows of ignorance and contempt. Recently you may have heard the President single out Rush Limbaugh, a well known conservative talk radio host and political commentator. President Obama advised members of Congress to shy away from Limbaugh’s commentary if they intend to effectively “get things done” for the American people. Quoted as saying he hopes President Obama fails, Limbaugh has millions of listeners, ranging from a quaint amount of anti-Rush Limbaugh Iraq veterans to his very own pro-Limbaugh pulpit, and the message he sends is clear.
It is a message of separation. Separation is the basic result of fear and ignorance, and there is nothing to fear or ignore from President Obama, because his message is also clear. It is a message of unity. Perhaps the unity lies in the duty to serve your community and country however you can. Perhaps it lies in the idea that the current situation in America beckons for an alternative. The reality is that progress is paramount, and America must choose to leave the old ghosts of ignorance and fear behind to continue moving forward.
Keep in mind that the only people acting against the nation’s birth pangs towards change are people who are more than okay with the status quo. And frankly that is becoming a far less appealing position if you have any future plans. Even with cabinet nominations falling through and stimulus voters falling out, there is tangible evidence highlighting the advancement towards a stronger America.
For you it may be the passing of child healthcare initiatives or the glimmering but determined hope of passing additional legislation defending the rights of individuals. Whatever it may be, don’t let the problems of the past defeat the solutions of the future.