I never thought it would happen in my lifetime. I wanted it to happen, but at the back of my mind, I believed that Bush and his Republican bunch of thieves would steal the electoral college away from Obama, like he had done to Gore eight years ago.
But I am glad I was wrong. I am glad I over-estimated the powers of the greedy military-industrial complex commanded by the Republicans. I am glad that Americans finally stood up and voted to get a new man into the White House - Barack Hussein Obama II.
He couldn't become the Prez of the US, right? He's black, with a Kenyan father, and his name is all wrong. It's not British Isles - like Kennedy or Clinton or Bush. It's not a German or a Dutch sounding name, like Eisenhower or Roosevelt. It's not North European at all. And worse, it's got Hussein as the middle name!
Anyways, when it came to the chase, these didn't matter. What mattered was what Obama stands for, and his ability to inspire the grassroots to come out and be counted.
He's got his job cut out for him. The US has become the most disliked, and indeed possibly the most hated nation on earth, for some years now. That doesn't stop people from migrating there - it still is a nation of opportunities, and doesn't discriminate against you when you are making money for yourself and others. But, outside of the US, most of the world tends to bridle a bit about the US. Many, including me, believe that there is only one rogue state in the world, and that's the US; it's still the most powerful nation on earth, and we can't ignore it, even if we wish to. That image is not a nice one to begin with - and Obama has to change that.
Having lost political credibility in the world, it is now losing economic credibility thanks to the meltdown of Wall Street, and the ham-handed efforts of Paulson and the Bush administration to save their rich cronies, and let the taxpayer go to hell. Again, not nice for a new Prez.
The promise is that Obama will tackle these with the basic values of humanity, which belong everywhere to everyone. Decency, honesty, prosperity WITHOUT greed, respect for others which breeds others' respect for you, and working together for a better world.
Sounds idealistic? Utopian perhaps? Maybe, but that's what Obama has done to me. Like a old diehard romantic idealist, I believe there is space in the world for ideals, and that you can live your life by your ideals, and that you can inspire others to share in those ideals.
And Obama has the next four years, at least, to show that ideals can make a big difference to the world. Tough, but I believe that he can do it. At least, now there's somebody in power in the US whom I like and can support.
2 comments:
Well, there's always going to be a cowboy superpower in the world. the question is : who would you like to assume that role? The Americans? The Russians? The Chinese? The Japanese? The Saudis? (India, Iran and Brazil don't make the cut and the Saudis are there only bec they "lead" the Muslim world). The last 4 could be much worse than the Americans. I guess you've got the answer.
Hi Jayant, Obama, as you say, has really given many, including me, a confidence in the power of one man. Let me tell you a small story... This was told by the first campaign manager Obama recruited , on CNN or some other channel:
Well, I was watching this football game and when I came out there was Obama standing out and we got into a conversation. After a short while, Obama asks me, "Would you like to join me for the campaign". As I was not aware of his plans at that moment, I asked, " Cmpaign for what". He says, "For the President". Still confounded, I ask, "President of what?". He smiled and replied,"President of United States". Me, "This elction?"
Well I just love this anecdote. Huge optimism in this chap. Lets see where ideals can steer the world?
~Regards,
~btw i am a member of iimc@mumbai and just chanced upon your blog from one of your emails
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