Change is upon us. Barack Obama is on the cusp of being sworn into the Oval Office, but it just all seems too good to be true.
Video courtesy of Amnesty International
Cantankerous Frank ¦ Mark Roberts
Call me cynical if you will, but I just can’t allow myself to be swept away by the whole occassion. In 1997 Tony Blair came to power with as much pomp and ceremony as the British Electoral Commission allows. Fair enough, I don’t think that John Major was unpopular as George Bush has become, but don’t forget how the Thatcher Government ended just a few years before. It was a time of hope, the ousting of an outdated system and an official embrace of the promise of something new.
But then what happened? 9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq, 7/7 and Recession. Change was upon us, but the hopes of many came to nothing. So as much as this day is historic, and should be celebrated as such, it is only the wedding day – the marriage is still to come.
Since his election in November his every move has been watched by people all over the world – such is the power of the Oval Office. Questions have been raised over Guantanamo, Climate Change and the War on Terror, but the President-elect has been noticibly silent on key occasions since the polls closed.
So as I sit and watch the inaugral address being broadcast live accross the world it worries me that so much expectation has been put onto Obama’s presidency. One man can’t change the world, whatever his position.
Have to agree Mary. I think it’s sad in a way that I, like you, feel cynical when so many people are optimistic but at the same time I think the vast majority of people need to check their hopes. If people continue to believe that just because Obama has been elected the world will change then they are deluded. Whilst figures like Thatcher/Bush/Blair/Obama all hold great power, it takes millions of people to enforce change.
I really hope that this is the START of something special but until I actually see changes then I’m going to hold back on waving minature American flags!
Indeed, it is all very well being preached at by someone atop a stage watched by millions, but the impetus for change has to come from the proles (to quote G. Orwell).
I too really hope that he does implement acts which will allow his election promises to become a reality – we do need direct action on the environment for example, but his speech worried me.
It was designed to talk to the heart of middle America – hence the almost Messianic qualities – and whilst I understand that he needs these people on his side since they hold purse strings, I honestly think that he can acheive a lot without them. His election campaign showed that he has the charisma to mobilise those who normally are not at all interested in politics, and alot can be achieved by just getting people out of their chairs and on to the street.
So I too have packed away all my flags until I see change actually taking shape.