Of all the days to hope, this seemed like a good one.
I wrote this piece just after the election, and today is a good time to post it. Some conservatives and people with a generally cynical or grumpy disposition are disdaining the talk of hope that attends President Obama's inauguration today as just fluffy bleeding-heart-liberal pablum, a sign of delusion or warped expectations.
Still, I hope.
I never have and still do not identify myself as a liberal. I'm just sick of the direction the country has traveled over the last eight years and am relieved for a fresh start. I'm exhausted by the state of the nation's affairs and am looking forward to a change. "What change?" say the cynics. Well, read below for the list I worked up of exactly why I'm tired of the way things are, and the way I hope that things will change. (Yes, those words!) I neither believe nor expect that the ascendancy of Barack Obama to the presidency will bring about everything for which I hope. I'm especially cognizant that spending restraint will not be high on the government priority list in the current economic state.
Still, I hope.
One thing that has changed already is the attitude of large parts of the American people toward their government. Listening to the radio reports this morning, I heard the broadcasters comment that there were many more regular folks attending this inauguration than in years past. Don't forget that, Mr. President. People are engaged and feeling ready to participate. You may never be more popular than you are today, and you're going to ruffle some feathers and irritate people across the political spectrum. The honeymoon isn't beginning today; it's ending. But whatever you do, remember those people gathered in Washington, and the rest of us around the country. You answer to us.
Anyway, here's where my priorities lie, looking back at what has been, and what I hope can be. I think I speak for more people than just myself when I post this, or I wouldn't be so self-indulgent as to do so.
I am tired of forcefully stated gut feelings taking the place of deliberate decision-making.
I am tired of "elite" being a dirty word.
I am tired of being told that I am not part of the "real" America.
I am tired of being told that I do not love my country.
I am tired of learning, intellectual achievement, and scienctific thought being regarded with suspicion.
I am tired of conspicuous consumption being favored over savings and wealth creation.
I am tired of lip service to fiscal conservatism accompanying massive deficit spending and a burgeoning national debt financed by China.
I am tired of politicians attempting to dictate private moral choices.
I am tired of xenophopia, envy, enmity, and antagonism coloring our international economic relations and immigration policy.
I am tired of fear as the guiding principle of our foreign policy.
I am tired of "folksy" speech, malapropisms, and country-fried idioms.
I am tired of ignoring major problems for the convenience of the moment.
I am tired of God being used as a political cudgel.
I am tired of demonization, fearmongering, and mockery of opponents being substituted for debate.
I am tired of "my way or the highway" stances on important issues.
I hope that our leaders will consider our government's actions very carefully in these perilous times, seek and listen to wise counsel, and remain open to the possibility of changing direction if one course does not work.
I hope that Americans will return to the belief that excellence is admirable.
I hope that we will come to consider the beliefs and thoughts of all Americans to be legitimate parts of America (even though we can clearly identify the ones that are wrong ;-)).
I hope that questioning the government can be regarded as patriotic.
I hope that America will return to the quest to achieve knowledge and wisdom, and to use it to make ourselves more prosperous.
I hope that we have learned our lesson from the financial crisis that living beyond our means is unsustainable and destructive.
I hope that our leaders will consider every penny they spend with great care, and understand the responsibilities attached to it, whether it comes from taxpayers or from borrowing abroad.
I hope that the individual liberty and privacy of every American will be respected.
I hope that we can begin to listen to our international allies once more, and that we can pave a legal path for those who want to come and share in - and who are able to help us achieve - the promise of America.
I hope that we will no longer react to terrorism by being terrified.
I hope that our leaders will speak to us with intelligence and clarity.
I hope that we can confront difficulties that require us to make large and fundamental changes, and understand why we must make them.
I hope that religious politicians will follow commandments to love your neighbor and refrain from judgment.
I hope that our politicians will debate vigorously, but productively and without rancor.
I hope that compromise is possible.
We're at the crest of the roller coaster. Hang on tightly.
Still, I hope.
I never have and still do not identify myself as a liberal. I'm just sick of the direction the country has traveled over the last eight years and am relieved for a fresh start. I'm exhausted by the state of the nation's affairs and am looking forward to a change. "What change?" say the cynics. Well, read below for the list I worked up of exactly why I'm tired of the way things are, and the way I hope that things will change. (Yes, those words!) I neither believe nor expect that the ascendancy of Barack Obama to the presidency will bring about everything for which I hope. I'm especially cognizant that spending restraint will not be high on the government priority list in the current economic state.
Still, I hope.
One thing that has changed already is the attitude of large parts of the American people toward their government. Listening to the radio reports this morning, I heard the broadcasters comment that there were many more regular folks attending this inauguration than in years past. Don't forget that, Mr. President. People are engaged and feeling ready to participate. You may never be more popular than you are today, and you're going to ruffle some feathers and irritate people across the political spectrum. The honeymoon isn't beginning today; it's ending. But whatever you do, remember those people gathered in Washington, and the rest of us around the country. You answer to us.
Anyway, here's where my priorities lie, looking back at what has been, and what I hope can be. I think I speak for more people than just myself when I post this, or I wouldn't be so self-indulgent as to do so.
I am tired of forcefully stated gut feelings taking the place of deliberate decision-making.
I am tired of "elite" being a dirty word.
I am tired of being told that I am not part of the "real" America.
I am tired of being told that I do not love my country.
I am tired of learning, intellectual achievement, and scienctific thought being regarded with suspicion.
I am tired of conspicuous consumption being favored over savings and wealth creation.
I am tired of lip service to fiscal conservatism accompanying massive deficit spending and a burgeoning national debt financed by China.
I am tired of politicians attempting to dictate private moral choices.
I am tired of xenophopia, envy, enmity, and antagonism coloring our international economic relations and immigration policy.
I am tired of fear as the guiding principle of our foreign policy.
I am tired of "folksy" speech, malapropisms, and country-fried idioms.
I am tired of ignoring major problems for the convenience of the moment.
I am tired of God being used as a political cudgel.
I am tired of demonization, fearmongering, and mockery of opponents being substituted for debate.
I am tired of "my way or the highway" stances on important issues.
I hope that our leaders will consider our government's actions very carefully in these perilous times, seek and listen to wise counsel, and remain open to the possibility of changing direction if one course does not work.
I hope that Americans will return to the belief that excellence is admirable.
I hope that we will come to consider the beliefs and thoughts of all Americans to be legitimate parts of America (even though we can clearly identify the ones that are wrong ;-)).
I hope that questioning the government can be regarded as patriotic.
I hope that America will return to the quest to achieve knowledge and wisdom, and to use it to make ourselves more prosperous.
I hope that we have learned our lesson from the financial crisis that living beyond our means is unsustainable and destructive.
I hope that our leaders will consider every penny they spend with great care, and understand the responsibilities attached to it, whether it comes from taxpayers or from borrowing abroad.
I hope that the individual liberty and privacy of every American will be respected.
I hope that we can begin to listen to our international allies once more, and that we can pave a legal path for those who want to come and share in - and who are able to help us achieve - the promise of America.
I hope that we will no longer react to terrorism by being terrified.
I hope that our leaders will speak to us with intelligence and clarity.
I hope that we can confront difficulties that require us to make large and fundamental changes, and understand why we must make them.
I hope that religious politicians will follow commandments to love your neighbor and refrain from judgment.
I hope that our politicians will debate vigorously, but productively and without rancor.
I hope that compromise is possible.
We're at the crest of the roller coaster. Hang on tightly.