first, let's remind ourselves about how breanna is NOT deep into politics, not politically saavy, not highly educated in politics. i'm still a young'un about all this. and this is my blog, where i say what i'm thinking presently. and i may change my mind. and i may be wrong. and all of that is fine. and i'm perfectly comfortable for you to disagree with me, and to do so in a comment even. but please, be kind about it. people sure are getting heated lately, and i can see why. but not here, okay?
i'm watching parts of the democratic convention. i've never seen a convention before, and you can be sure i'll watch parts of the republican convention next week too. i've also been listening to radio shows discussing all this, and more from a republican point of view. so i've heard a lot of the concerns about obama. i don't understand what they all mean. the one i'm hearing the most is "lack of experience."
as i'm watching this convention, i'm just thinking through that. here's what i know: for the last eight years, something hasn't been working right. things are never perfect, of course, but this? yikes. i think change is a great idea. and this big concern about experience...it's just that, experience has been in the white house for a long time...but for the first time in what seems (to me) like a long time, HOPE has a chance of moving in.
and maybe, maybe it's okay for experience to not be at the forefront for a little bit...maybe our country DESPERATELY NEEDS HOPE at this point. maybe we do need to just FEEL like things are getting better, like it's going to be okay. maybe a sense of hope in each of us would make a much bigger difference in our country than many would admit. we've got loads of experience in the system of check and balances...experience in the vp candidate....but when have we had a candidate who can speak hope and optimism into our lives, into the heartbeat of the country itself?
i know, feelings and sentiments do not run a country....we can't make such big decisions based on emotions. but i think it counts for a whole lot of something. i'm still learning, practically ignorant i'm sure. but when i think about someone leading any group of people, when i think about my teachers and coaches and bosses, one of the most profound and effective traits of the successful ones was their ability to empower me, to believe in myself, to communicate their vision for me and their confidence in my ability to do it. sure, they also had to resolve conflicts, manage budgets, attend meetings. but those who were most effective were the ones who could get me on board through inspiration.
i guess i'm just a bit bored with those who oppose obama acting as if his oustanding oratory (oration? orating?) skills are unimportant, or should count against him. i sincerely don't think it's smoke and mirrors. i think there's more than hype when a crowd of gazillions...from all backgrounds, shouts in unison "YES WE CAN!" there's something deep and powerful there.
again, please feel free to share your thoughts, and even to say i don't have a clue what i'm talking about...just do it respectfully, and preferably with wit.
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7 comments:
I love your take on this. I'm so tired of people looking for negative things in a candidate that aren't even relevant to the presidential race.
I'm all for change, hope and inspiration. A lot of Americans are down on our country right now because of the past eight years. Wouldn't it be refreshing to be proud of what our country and President are doing? And to once again be the envy of countries around the world?
I think I understand where you're coming from. I'm disappointed in the focus of our leadership. But the responsibility to make things better does not fall squarely on the president's shoulders. We have a legislature in order to make and change laws to make things better, and the one that we have has failed as well. I'm interested to see what happens next, and will continue to point to the TRUE source of hope while others are expecting something different disguised as change. Change can be good, but it can sometimes be worse. Only time will tell.
Here's a pretty good article on presidents and perspective. Ending Tyranny
lori- you said it more succinctly than I. imagine the improvement in our country if everyone felt GOOD about america again...thanks for getting me to the point!
tim, thank you for the article. it's pretty overwhelming to try and figure out where to go for good info that i can easily understand.
and you're absolutely right about the bulk of the responsibility not falling on the pres, and i'm certainly glad for that structure. there's something to be said, howerver, for the tough times when people look to their leader for strength and encouragement. i think both are important and valuable.
I agree 110%. So what if Obama is a rock star that on the surface only makes people feel good about things? America hasn't had a leader who inspired thoughts of real change in a long time. If nothing else, Obama inspires people to become active voices in their government again, which is an absolutely positive thing.
I feel much like you. I don't have a lot of facts and arguments to throw around - even for people I agree with. My gut reaction is that Obama offers some hope that things can be better than they've been. Will he do everything perfectly? Will he have all the right answers? No. And I hope I never put that much pressure on anyone. But what I can tell you is that I have a pretty good gut reaction to things, my insticts about people are usually pretty good - no horn tooting intended - it's a big part of what I do for a living. I feel good about Obama. I was catching up on the convention speeches yesterday - I missed them this week. As I was listening to him I prayed and prayed that he is as authentic as we could hope for. I hope is that his message is true and his vision for America is his driving passion. I pray he doesn't get caught up in Washington politics. I hope he really does still see regular ol' middle class Americans. I hope he really does want to empower each of us to reach for the impossible and celebrate in our successes.
I think what I like most is that he wants to equip each of us with the ability to look around and see those who need some help reaching their potential, to see those who are in the margins and offer them a hand. ***DICLAIMER: I am not comparing Obama to Jesus*** I read the message of Christ and it is to look around and see who needs a hand, to see those in the margins and to help them.
We as a nation, those of us who claim to be followers of the REAL HOPE need to reclaim that focus and to live our lives looking for those who need help and to do everything in our power to help them. As I look back at the faith communities that I have been a part of, I haven't seen a lot of help offered to those who didn't look like us. I did hear a lot of "abortion is wrong, gay lifestyles are wrong, people who think differently are going to hell". I'm tired of hearing this message from people who say they follow Jesus.
Wow...sorry for the soapbox. :)
I am energized by Obama's optimism. I will pray for him in the months and years ahead because I do believe he will be president. I pray that he can lead this country to be a people who look around and see those around us and I hope he can rally us to be more concerned that we all have a seat at the table than whether or not I have mine. I pray that he can challenge us to see that the need of our neighbor is in fact our need as well.
thanks bsc and rebecca for your thoughtful comments. i'm glad i'm not the only one who is a bit more "feeling over fact" about this election thus far.
So how do you all feel about Palin?
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