Thoughts on the Inauguration
Andrew Sullivan delivers an insightful perspective on what Obama will try to achieve as President. Try, of course, is the operative word because he will have many enemies of his efforts, from both sides of the aisle. Change is never easy, and it Washington it is exponentially tougher to accomplish.
I was 11 when Reagan took office, so my recollection of the political scene was fairly shallow. But I do recall one common attitude that people seemed to share when he took the oath of office: hope. Change of administrations often brings with it hope for better times even under arguably successful administrations, but, and perhaps its because my generation seems to be stepping up to the plate for their turn, this time, this challenge, seems unique. We face some serious challenges right now, whether it be the economy, the environment, our energy plight, or health care. The list seems endless, possibly because I'm more wired into them than at any point in my adult life.
I don't know that Obama can fix all of these problems in 4 or 8 years, or that he should even try to do so. Doing so might just short-shirt each of those priorities and in the end accomplish little for any of them. Bush (and arguably his predecessors) left him quite a mess to clean up so that serves as a challenge as well.
My advise to Obama is simple. Focus on what can be accomplished, and do your best to deliver.
I think we picked the right person to accomplish that objective, but obviously time will tell. In the end I'm left more hopeful than I have been in some time for our country, but I'll still temper that hope with the reality that Obama is still a politician, and Washington is still...well...Washington.
Good luck.
I was 11 when Reagan took office, so my recollection of the political scene was fairly shallow. But I do recall one common attitude that people seemed to share when he took the oath of office: hope. Change of administrations often brings with it hope for better times even under arguably successful administrations, but, and perhaps its because my generation seems to be stepping up to the plate for their turn, this time, this challenge, seems unique. We face some serious challenges right now, whether it be the economy, the environment, our energy plight, or health care. The list seems endless, possibly because I'm more wired into them than at any point in my adult life.
I don't know that Obama can fix all of these problems in 4 or 8 years, or that he should even try to do so. Doing so might just short-shirt each of those priorities and in the end accomplish little for any of them. Bush (and arguably his predecessors) left him quite a mess to clean up so that serves as a challenge as well.
My advise to Obama is simple. Focus on what can be accomplished, and do your best to deliver.
I think we picked the right person to accomplish that objective, but obviously time will tell. In the end I'm left more hopeful than I have been in some time for our country, but I'll still temper that hope with the reality that Obama is still a politician, and Washington is still...well...Washington.
Good luck.