It's Inauguration Day, Has Anything Changed Yet?

It's January 20, 2009, Presidential Inauguration Day; the day Americans welcome a new President into office and bid the former farewell.

Many others have already commented on virtually all aspects of former President Bush's term in office and the expectations for President Obama. I do not plan on trying to add any value to, or judgment on, those discussions. Instead, I'd like to offer some words on the new administration's ability to enact change.

I feel sorry for Barack Obama. Not in a pity kind of way, after all, he has already achieved great success, popularity and notoriety by winning the presidential election. I feel sorry for him because in many ways he is destined to fail in the minds of both his supporters and opposition.

Before he ever sat in the oval office, President Obama heightened the expectations of a nation that hungers for change. Change that can be measured in a number of ways; economic recovery, global warming effects, unemployment statistics, healthcare costs, value of retirement funds, energy independence, and what the heck... even world peace.

With so many people having such high hopes for change, change that impacts their own favorite issues, it will be difficult if not impossible for the new administration to satisfy everyone. To completely resolve every problem within a reasonable length of time.

Changing anything does not come easy or fast. I've often used the analogy that making big changes to legacy issues is like turning a ship in the ocean; it takes a lot of space and time, it doesn't happen immediately.

Does our American society and modern culture have the patience for that? We have become so accustomed to immediate gratification. We receive responses to most of our requests almost immediately. Is the average American actually willing to wait for change to occur?

Right or wrong, it seems to me that there is a rather large contingent of Americans who have transitioned from being an enthusiastic supporter of the President to a worshiping disciple. Will their strong emotional tie to the Commander in Chief make it more difficult for them to accept that even he cannot immediately resolve the Country's woes? That there are others in the Federal, State and local government with responsibility? That there is a level of responsibility in each and every one of us?

It is very likely that some people will not have the patience to wait long. I expect that some supporters will change their mind when their own personal issues are not immediately resolved. It is a combination of being naive and irresponsible. Some don't understand that it's not the President's fault that they have made poor decisions in life, just as it's not the President's responsibility to make certain that they find success, no matter how it may be measured.

I fully expect to hear people asking why they have not seen a change, why their own issues remain unresolved, before the ink dries on the Inauguration Day newspaper headlines. My hope is that the new administration can survive the test; for the benefit of the entire Nation, and quite possibly for the whole world.

Politics, Religion, the Press, and You.

Don't worry. I am not going to waste this space or your time with a rant telling you who you should vote for, or against. This is much more importent than that. It is safe for you to read-on...

Are you tired of hearing about the upcoming presidential election yet?

Living near Washington DC, it seems as though we have been the victims of a media blitz for a couple of years now.

News radio, talk radio, television, magazines, newpapers, billboards, bus signs, on line news, blog sites and the bum on the corner all provide a constant barrage of opinions. They inform us of the candidates' work history, personal life, family life, political positions, religious beliefs, underwear color, shoe size and elementary school report cards. It is information overload. The media pumps us full of so much data that it is almost impossible to digest it all.

The information comes at us so fast, that we no longer take the time to really 'listen.' We no longer take the time to determine what is fact and what is fiction. We no longer contemplate on what we have heard to determine how it impacts our lives, or even if it is really important enough to be an issue. We no longer think for ourselves.

Yikes!

Let me say that one more time.

We no longer think for ourselves.

I am often saddened to hear friends, neighbors and complete strangers simply echo political opinion published by the media, or worse yet by a Hollywood celebrity (What in the world makes a person in the entertainment industry believe that they are an authority on global political matters? You host a day time talk show, or you win an Emmy for supporting actor in a comedy series, and somehow you have earned the right to spout some political garabage to a captive audience? Oops. I digress.)

When it comes to politics and religion, I have always believed that everyone should carefully consider all of the issues and make up their own mind.

It's fine to listen to the talking heads on the television, but use your own head to discern what is important.

We all seem to remember that the freedoms we are so very blessed with as United States citizens allow us to form our own spirtual beliefs. To have a choice in how to practice our faith. To have a choice not to believe in God at all if you so desire.

Well, don't forget that you also have the freedom to make your own decisions when you vote. Use media resources to gather information. Don't believe everything that you hear or read, but take the time to consider all sides of the story. Take the time to find out the truth and to avoid getting caught-up in the media frenzy that feeds off irrelevant hype that has no real bearing on the candidates' suitability for the office.

Practice the freedom to think for yourself.

Think for yourself.

Then be certain to vote on Election Day.

See you at the polls.