Proud to be American

For the first time in my adult life I feel a sense of pride in being American. I do not say so based solely on history being made with our first black president, though it is significant. The more significant issue here, for me, is that American citizens are being represented by someone who is more than intelligent, but someone who is thoughtful and sensitive to the needs of others. I think he has made it clear that he’s interested in being a leader of change.

Thus far, I see in Barack Obama a man who is what he says he is. For the first time I want to believe in someone who will do the right thing even if seeing positive results takes a long time. Seeing results comes with some trepidation because change is not an instant process and the magnanimity of world problems as well as U.S. problems is huge. I don’t agree with all of his policies and despite the uncertainties, I recognize that he is not perfect and won’t be able to clean up everything.

Regardless of existing uncertainties, I’ve seen over and over again Barack Obama’s way of doing things as exemplifying the kind of character that takes the punches and doesn’t feel the need to punch back. Rather, he takes a slap and then another slap and he wraps it up and ties a binding bow of kindness around it. From there he forgets and moves forward, including within his path all of those who’ve done most of the slapping. He keeps doing what he believes in. How can one not respect that? His continually draws attention away from himself and focuses on others and as a result elicits from others mutual respect.

What this new president has really done has initiated a new way of thinking in American leadership. It is the kind of thinking that is not political or elitist in nature, but it is the kind of thinking lived out with openness and humility. It is an active choice to be bigger than the enemy. It is actively choosing to not point fingers but to first take responsibility for one’s own actions, big or small.

Barack Obama doesn’t need, with a gavel in hand, to pound the podium with his resume. He doesn’t give us a history of personal accomplishments for why he is a good leader. True it seems he emerged out of nowhere and with little experience behind him, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that he is where he is because he is a risk-taker. He believes in the challenge of an uncertain and fragile task.

I think Barack Obama will be one of the most notable American leaders I get the opportunity to witness in my lifetime. I think this new American president is changing the way America thinks about government. I also think that for many politicians it will change the way they conduct government. His methodology for reaching across the aisle of differences, fear, and doubt will make the dividing lines more transparent and will result in a collective initiative that I don’t think any of us, prior to now, thought was possible.

Less Greed, Less Need

I recently heard a comment on the radio by an economist that I found quite shocking. For the first time, someone was actually being honest about why our country is in a serious economic recession. According to him (and me!), the problem rests mainly with Americans living beyond their means.

We must be willing to admit all of the causes of a financial recession before we can really expect things to improve. That might mean that a lot of us will have to give up some things and start changing our expensive lifestyles. Although many of us do have a lasso around our wallets and are watching more closely where our money goes, I fear we are still not willing to admit that we are actually most of our problem.

Though I’m not certain, I’m afraid people are becoming bitter and perhaps, more greedy than ever before during this current economic recession. I’m afraid that everyone is waiting to go back to the way things were and are waiting for Barack Obama to simply make it so as if by magic.

Food is expensive. Gas prices are erratic. And things in your local store just aren’t selling. These are realities that we as consumers cannot change, but we can start making changes now. By the time things get better economically, we may discover that we’re doing better than we were before the recession.

I believe that when we make a conscientious choice to live within our means, the less we will want and the less we will think we need. We will be the kind of people who are content with less, and when given the opportunity to be generous, we may just act with confidence, sensitivity, and appreciation.