In order to preserve the "inaugural moment"--at least as far as it can be preserved--I have decided to re-post on this blog-site two comments I wrote and posted on the blog-sites of two friends in the hours directly following the moment when President-Elect Barack Obama became President Barack Obama. I do not do this in order to set "in stone" a template for my future mindset regarding the forty-fourth president of the United States, but rather to celebrate the speech he delivered Tuesday to an attentive world, as well as to suggest why his inauguration will benefit the United States in the long-run (and in a number of ways).
Please understand that I am not at all saying that various aspects of life both inside and outside of the United States are likely to change for the better today or next week, or even in a year's time. Instead, I am suggesting that several of the various "policy roads" down which the United States may be ready to embark look to be far more realistic and pragmatic than several of the ones down which the U.S. has traveled for the past eight years and, in some cases, for a longer period of time than that.
I guess what I'm saying is that I was a consistent supporter of Democratic-nominee Obama, and I hope to be an at least fairly consistent supporter of President Obama in the coming years. We'll have to wait in order to see if the latter happens but, for now at least, I remain optimistic on that front.
At any rate, these are the words I posted on "Centrisity" (http://centrisity.blogspot.com) on Inauguration Day:
"What I liked about President Obama's inaugural speech was the fact that his rhetoric inspired but did not soar. He is preparing us for the hard work ahead, and his words were modulated to put us in that frame of mind...at least once the next few days are over.
"This was a relatively restrained, thoughtful performance that suggests that this president has a mind that can work in calculated, gritty prose and not just poetry.
"Well done and congratulations, Mr. President and Mr. Vice President. Now, let's see where we go from here...."
--Hasslington
These are the words I posted on "Penigma" (http://penigma.blogspot.com) on Inauguration Day:
"What is naive is to suggest that carrying on in the manner we were (for as long as we did, under the last president) was a pragmatic method of creating future prosperity at home and future goodwill among our very, very necessary friends and allies abroad. It was, of course, something very different from pragmatism; it was the definition of the word 'naive.'
"What is most certainly not naive, however, is the fact that we just inaugurated two of the smartest guys in the room (so to speak) to lead us in uncertain times. Though there are bound to be disappointments, doing what we have just done has given us a better chance at future prosperity at home and good will abroad (which are increasingly interlinked, of course)."
--Hasslington
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2 comments:
In terms of the context of speeches, and the current domestic situation of the U.S., I agree with your comments. However, looking at the bigger political landscape of the U.S., I think there is potential for the Obama administration to make a profound change to this 'landscape'. As someone who has always considered himself a left leaning centrist, I have always thought the U.S. has always been a very politically 'right' (spectrum wise) nation. This is demonstrated by the general 'stance' of the Republican party (I know, ambiguous, but I don't want to bogged down in detail), as well as laws regarding capital punishment, gun ownership, taxes, etc.
Obama's agenda, as I understand it involves positive and significant changes (in my view of course) to the 'landscape' involving the environment, international relations, easier access to tertiary education, more affordable health education. These things in themself are remarkable in the fact that in the political landscape in the U.S. they have been discussed, but (I don't think anyway), have never been properly implemented. And considering Obama's mandate for change, there's never been a better time to make these changes.
I look forward to the outrage of the right and neo-conservatives when these changes begin... Hahahaha!!! I hope Obama doesn't make the same mistake as Gough Withlam (hero Australian Labour P.M. - removed from power, Google him - an interesting case study), and attempt to change too much, too soon. Either way, it will be interesting watching 'history being made'.
Trav--
I agree...
...the U.S. is indeed a politically "right" (spectrum-wise) nation. Hence, a "middle-of-the-road" stance in the U.S. would be considered a "center-right" stance in many other Western nations.
...President Obama will need to be careful regarding any "changes" he wishes to implement, but I have the sense that he will largely adhere to a careful mindset. I keep thinking about President Clinton, whose first move as president was to enrage the military over its policy on homosexuals; this made him look like a "liberal" instead of a more "moderate" Democrat in a rather conservative era, and it eradicated any political and cultural leverage he had to "change" things for the next two-plus years. (The first two years of the Clinton presidency were an abject failure; he recovered well, but it took quite some time.)
...hence, President Obama's job over the next few years is to help facilitate a gradual cultural shift on some essential issues, without pulling too far to the left too quickly. Regarding any of a number of issues, he will be best served by doing what he seems to be doing thus far on the latest stimulus proposal: trying to get what he wants into the bill while also appealing to a substantial segment of the congressional opposition by inserting measures they champion without unduly undermining his own agenda. (It looks like he will, for instance, ask congress to insert more tax cuts into the bill than he otherwise would like in order to win substantial levels of Republican support. This may prove to be a very politically savvy move because it will appeal broadly in a general sense, though no one will be completely thrilled about it.)
This is quite a balancing act to try to pull off. The next few years will be tricky and intriguing.
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