We Need Obama and the Democrats

and it’s kind of sad that we do. It’s sad when what I see suggests that we need them because we can’t find the strength or commitment within ourselves. Or, some of us can’t. We have belief without conviction . . . which in some ways isn’t even belief. We want to be governed and yet show very little self governance. Lacking the strength to make our own changes, we rest our hopes on one man, one administration, one party.

What does Obama mean to some?

To some people, Obama means more compassion, more diplomacy, more care for our fellow man. Yet, how many times have I been cut off in the past three months by cars with Obama bumper stickers on the back? How often have I seen similar cars cruising down the highway at eighty, eighty-five, or even ninety miles an hour? That seems to lack compassion, diplomacy, and care. What are their excuses? They’re in a hurry? They have something important to do? Seems like those excuses could be used to rationalize almost any infraction of the rules.

We look to Obama to enforce the values that we don’t have the self discipline to bring out of ourselves.

Some of us look to this new administration to find a “green means” for us to free ourselves from oil dependency. Hmm . . . how many Obama/Biden signs have I seen in front yards and parked in the adjacent driveway, a gas-guzzling SUV? How do they justify the ownership of such a vehicle? It might well be used as the definition of irony.

Obama, make up for our sins because we are incapable of doing it ourselves.

Many looked to Obama to come up with some kind of universal health care coverage. Why? I don’t see very much individual health care coverage. So many of us eat the most rotten food in sickening quantities. We guzzle sugar-heavy pops. Too many of us never exercise. We are fat and out of shape. We do little to govern our own behavior. I’m all for universal health care coverage, but my hope is that fewer and fewer people need to take advantage of it due to late-onset diabetes and heart disease. In general, unhealthy people get sick more often. So, get healthy. Turning around your health is probably a bigger service to your country than turning out to vote.

Obama, I must have this fifth piece of pizza and this Mountain Dew to wash it down. And, I must watch this show in lieu of walking. You got my back?

We look to Obama to improve education in America. How many of us are improving education at home? I’m guilty on this one. I could read to my kids more. I could do math with my kids more . . . or involve them when I’m paying the bills. I could read more in front of my kids. Shut off the television. Bring my kids to museums. I recognize that it isn’t the job of schools, and schools alone, to educate my children. In this season of change, I’m going to try to change my relationship with my kids.

Sure, there are changes Obama can bring about that we can’t do on our own. He can change our stance in Iraq. He can create more goodwill towards America in the world.

But, there’s so much we can do . . . and don’t. Exercise. Eat better. Give time to charities. Give money to charities. Donate to Public Radio (especially if you listen all the time!). Pick up litter on your sidewalk. Pick up litter on someone else’s sidewalk. Slow down. Think in terms of Martin Buber’s I and Thou.

Read Martin Buber’s I and Thou (or at least a really good interpretation of the book)

If in this season of change you think that your biggest effort was in getting to the polls, well then maybe your vote was wasted. You voted for change, and the change should start from within and grow out into action. If it doesn’t, we’re going to go on needing Democrats and their mothering (Jung’s Terrible Mother?) for a long time.