Tomorrow starts a new chapter in American history with the inauguration of Barack Obama. Not only the first democrat in office for 8 years, but the first black president of the US in history. OK, you already know all that. Why does it matter to me?
For years I have been a ‘middle of the road, leaning right’ conservative. I still am for the most part. I’m fiscally conservative and socially liberal. However, even though I didn’t vote for Obama, I am excited about this. Not at all because of the media attention, actually, that has rather annoyed me. I am excited because of all the information that I have read about him that didn’t really come up until after he was elected. I may not agree with him on everything, but then again, I didn’t agree with Bush or Clinton on everything either.
I’ve always thought of the presidential position as more of a executive management spot. Bring in the right people to lead the different sections and by being a great manager and decision maker, you will be successful. However, this election has energized so many people in such a way that it is hard to ignore the fact that the president can very well be the country’s biggest cheerleader. And why not. I still remember hearing stories from my grandparents about hanging off every word that the president would have to say. In my own silly sentimental way, I’m hoping that I get my chance to have this same experience. Someone to look up to. Come to think of it, I can’t remember a big important heartfelt speech by the president to the American people. I don’t count any speeches that were made during an election campaign, however. Bush’s speech after the attacks on 9/11 were about the closest that I can think of. But how much of that was about feeling bad for what happened or feeling angered at the perpetrators?
I am very much looking forward to the inagural speech tomorrow. To hear his words, and his plan. I’ll say it again; I’m excited. I want to see where the next 4 years take this country. He’s got quite the job ahead of him however, with the economy in shambles, and 2 wars going on. He’s not going to make the right decisions 100% of the time, but there’s really only room to go up.
