As people looked for October surprises, it became apparent that there would be no 9/11 type event or martial law and that elections in the US would indeed take place. The hardcore cynics amongst the populace then focused upon the possibility of another fraudulent election. The events of Tuesday November 4, 2008 however, seemed to show that democracy was indeed still alive as the power of numbers was seized and used by the majority of voters as they produced a turnout that the country hasn't seen for considerable time. Faith was renewed for some and others cried, "Halleluiah!"-
As the president-elect assembles his cabinet and advisory team, some of the people in his new constituency have reacted to the election outcome by running out to purchase firearms. And others have taken a more caustic approach with continuance of anti-Obama slander and outright racial slurs in some instances in some social and religious circles. The events of November fourth however might possibly point to proof that the number of people who exercise that type of thinking is now a minority in the land of the free. Progress could be at hand in regard to increased tolerance in American society.
If the proposed choices for employment within the Administration to come are any indication, it is looking as though Obama intends to factor intellect, expertise and humanitarian viewpoint into his evaluation. But it is also likely that a bit of the usual cronyism will play a part in deciding who will occupy the various positions available. In lieu of electing these officials, the people of the US will place blind faith in the POTUS to select those who will perform their duties according to the will of the people. Let us hope that all new appointees, especially those chosen to head the organizations that will be instrumental in the anticipated forthcoming "green"- industrial revolution, will be less financially callous and susceptible to corruption than their predecessors. Let us pray that they definitely be more capable.
The campaign trial made it evident that an Obama administration intends to "go green"- in an effort to wean the US off of the nation's oil dependency. It sounds great as the concepts of job creation and environmental policy pop into the mind, but if business is done as usual it is likely that danger lurks around the corner and little progress will actually be made. A newly built structure comprised of inferior materials never lasts long. And so it may be that new products, technology and methodology are pushed through and made available or implemented without proper evaluation or testing as is often done in the name of profit and high salaries. Woe to America should the windmills not turn, coal gasification prove to be inefficient, solar panels be in short supply and the new electric grids be hackable, for then the carbon tax cometh. If the US economy is not turned around and the healthcare crisis is not remedied via a Congress-approved "redistribution of wealth"- within the coffers provided by the taxpayers, such a tax will not be a welcome sacrifice for the new way.
Obama is not the messiah and good leaders are only as good as the people behind them, so America must be diligent and observant in regard to government and media. Laziness in this regard will allow for corruption, disinformation campaigns and corporate greed to remain and grow like toxic fungi. If creeping fascism and corporate welfare are not stopped, then no progress will be made. Complacency of, and fear in, the masses towards past administrations took the US into a darkness that cannot be illuminated by government representation alone without the citizenry's participation.
The majority of the people of the United States proclaimed their desire for change, but the change will need to be profound and it will need to come from the hearts of all men [and women,Ed], not just the poor and downtrodden. Every one of our leaders and representatives must have integrity, honor, compassion and consciousness if real progress is to be made. The mass of the people of America must also change and vow to never again hold those in power as unaccountable for their crimes. They must continue to develop their newfound interest in the political scene because what goes on in Washington does indeed have bearing on the cost and condition of living.
The door for change has been opened, but what is on the other side will depend upon how much the people of the US demand of those who are paid by their taxes.
