By itself. It is meaningless. Its another catchphrase. Its "The War on Terror" repackaged. Obama, by himself is just another politician, without mandate, lost in the echo chamber of Washington.
Change isnt Obama. What change means is WE have to Change. All of us. None of this has any meaning if it its about 1 man. Barack Obama isnt some miracle cure that you simply apply and it cures all your problems. He is a small, but critical step in a fundamental change that we as a nation need if we are going to save this gift we have been given from ourselves.
All things have a beginning. A moment of birth, sometimes as vivid as a new born baby emerging from the womb and giving its barbaric yalp to an expectant world. Or it could be as gentle as a seed falling on fertile soil, snuggling itself into the earth and growing root.
For me, that moment came on September 27, 2001.
We had been attacked. I cried for about week after. Me, a 6ft 5, former D1 College football player who was working as a Prison guard. I couldnt watch a TV without welling up. My wife was pregnant with my first child and I was filled with not only sorrow and anger, but a need to protect my son, and hopefully help preserve for him what I have been given from this country that I love.
So I wait for the word from our leader. I know its coming. I wait for the trumpet call. What can I do for my country at its greatest hour of need. I see our President get in front of the podium and he puts to rest my question
"Get on board. Do your business around the country. Fly and enjoy
America's great destination spots. Get down to Disney World in
Florida. Take your families and enjoy life, the way we want it to be
enjoyed."
In other words. "Go Shopping"
I knew it felt wrong. Something just wasnt right. And at that moment the worm began to turn.
It wasnt until years later, after the litany of failures that has defined this presidency did it crystalize in my brain. Burning like a supernova tumor. Those words.... that Sentiment.... "go shopping...."
NO.. FUCK YOU. How fucking dare you take that away from us. It struck me as hard as when I saw the towers come down. I felt (feel) the same violation. Where was the challenge? Where was the.. connection. it was gone, severed. In our nations great hour of need we were told we were not needed. In that moment I came to realize that "WE THE PEOPLE" had been seperated from our government. Sure, it probably happened long before that... but the cold truth unveiled itself to me starting at that moment. It whispered in my ear:
The founding principles of this country are dying. And we are killing them. We plunge into them daggers of apathy.
Nietzche once pronounced "God is dead" with the cold certainty of an autopsy. But this is different, this is watching something beautiful, something you love die right before your eyes. And for a long time I felt powerless to do anything to stop it.
But today I have Hope. Yea.. that simple word. Cliche, mocked by political opponents. But I still have it, because I know what "Change" means. I know that Barack Obama isnt going to single handedly fix everything that ails us like some sideshow snake oil. This movement isnt about Barack. It is about us. Its about reconnecting with out government, its about reforming the bond that our founding fathers insisted on.
~Its the rejection of the old way of doing things, about politicans telling us how great we are, and rubbing our bellies like the fat, stupid happy animals they think we are.
Instead its about us DEMANDING that our leaders challenge us. Our leaders bring out the best of us instead of cater to the worst, and prey on our fears and prejudices.
~Its a rejection of the old way of treating my countrymen like an enemy because they don't agree with me, or feel different about a point than I do.
Instead its about reaching out and learning to move this country together while we still have something worth fighting over.
~Its a rejection of Apathy and the allowing of ourselves to stand idly by while our leaders distract, divide, disillusion and disappoint us.
Instead its about learning to flex our power and make them work for us. Force them to be the leaders we need them to be, or face our electoral wrath.
So yes, I have "Hope" and yes I believe in "Change". Not as a catch phrase, but as something real and intense. I don't belive in Barack Obama can do it. I believe WE the people can do it. I believe this is the beginning of something truely great, something worthy of us as Americans. A fundamental sea change in who we are as a people... And in the grand scheme Obama and this election are a small part of what I truely feel is possible...
But it is a start. And maybe, just maybe we can save this thing by saving ourselves.
Or we can talk about flags on our lapels and "Go Shopping"