Is there a learning curve when you're President? I'm sure there is. Did everything he touched turn to gold in his first two years? No siree. Did he push too hard on changing the way medical services are delivered in this country? Maybe--and maybe at the expense of the problems of the economy. Did he get shellacked in November? You bet he did.
Is the national debt really the curse people say it is? Yes, but the problem isn't just his, it's ours too; we didn't get where we are in the just the last two years.
Is he a socialist? Don't be silly. Is he a commie? Are you nuts? Was he born here? According to Hawaii's new governor, of course he was; the man even claims to have been around when that birth happened, even knew Obama's parents.
He's sincere, thoughtful, and very bright. If the Lame Duck means anything at all, he's willing to compromise, more than willing to take on his own base if and when he thinks it's required. He understands--better than most on both ends of the political spectrum--that politics is about governing and governing is about compromise.
Yesterday, the President and First Lady visited a marine base in Hawaii. Was it a photo op? Sure, but check out these pictures--they're wonderful and warm. Can you imagine Nancy Reagan ever, ever hugging ordinary people the way Michelle does?
When I think of the opposition--Palin, Pawlenty, Newt, Huckabee, Romney, Haley Barbour, not to mention the man who's changed his political clothes almost pathologically ever since losing in '08, the ever-fuming McCain--I'm still glad I voted the way I did.
I'm quite sure--I live in the most rigidly Republican county in the nation, after all--that the Lord almighty fields millions of passionate prayers for Obama's collapse and demise, millions of requests for a good Christian man or woman to take over the office.
So this morning, let me just register my side in the onslaught. This morning's thanks are for this President, his wife, and his wonderful family.
5 comments:
Ah, Jim, you glibly pass over thousands, if not millions of us conservatives who take seriously and practice St. Peter's injunction to pray for our leaders, including President Obama. Your constant beating of this political drum strikes me more as self-justification driven by resentment of your surroundings rather than gratitude. Premature foreclosure to the ideas of others is a malady that easily crosses political boundaries, but whether that's your problem is ultimately your call.
Thanks, Jim. Well said and needed.
You know...change is difficult, and Obama is embracing change, sure it took a shellaking- his words. Another polititian that had his lights knocked out a couple of times, and I must say is still rather admired in your county- Reagan, really wore a "coat of many colors;" often both predominately red and blue, that is whenever it seemed fit- check the history books. No I can't say I voted for Obama, but he is my President and I wish him well. I really don't care if he is a Calvinist or Muslim, he is an American, pulls his pants on just like you and me, and deeply is in love with his family and those who he serves. He believes in you an me, and is willing to fight to allow even the lowest common denominator rise to be the highest- albeit in a different fashion than many on the conservative right would like, or the bums on Wall Street who laughed all the way to the bank as my 401k tanked. Balance folks is what we need in democracy, and whether it comes from a black man, or white...he has my respect, maybe not my vote, but in the end my respect...and my continued prayers.
Last night we returned to Dine (Navjo) land after spending eight days of cold and snow in Sue Land. We got caught up with those blogs we had missed while away. Dan's precious, sensitive confession that "premature forclosure to the ideas of others is a malady" was touching, and in the Spirit of Jesus gentile admonitions in Matthew 5, 6 and 7. Is it true that December 29, today, is the 120 year aniversity of the deaths of over 300 of your elderly persons, women and children at Wounded Knee? I just heard that on TV. It must have been a cold, snowy winter 120 years ago just like today. I wonder what they did with all those people after they died. I didn't see any Sue children when I was out there. How are they doing now, with the good prices for corn, beans and livestock in Sue Land. We saw a lot of black cows that looked a lot like buffalo. I suppose Sue's children have a lot of nice big warm houses now.
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