And It's not because it did not matter to me. It did. Oh it so did. I've written about Obama here and here, and I believe this Inauguration was a long time coming. In fact, I wanted him Inaugurated the day he was elected, or the day after, like they do in the British system.
We listened to the speech on the radio driving back from the beach, and as much as I would have liked to have seen it, listening to it felt right somehow. It seemed old school, like FDR's fireside chats. The speech was brilliant, everything we have come to expect from Obama's rhetoric. And I loved that he did not deny that we had problems in this country, that not everything was Jim Dandy. But he vowed to help be part of the solution.
After Michael went to bed I got on my elliptical and worked out to the video on CNN. And watching it was just as moving as listening to it. Tears mixed with the sweat on my cheeks and I no longer knew which was which.
I could not be prouder of my country, of my president. then I was at 12:10 p.m on January 20th, 2009 listening to Barack Obama take the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States.
What the cynics fail to understand is
that the ground has shifted beneath them – that the stale political
arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The
question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too
small, but whether it works – whether it helps families find jobs at a
decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.
Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is
no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars
will be held to account – to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do
our business in the light of day – because only then can we restore the
vital trust between a people and their government.
You can read the full text of the speech here.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
These are a few questions that I have wanted to ask for a while now. Maybe you, or some of your likeminded readers would entertain these questions? I am asking sincerely because these things bother me. Why do you want to look to the government to provide a good paying job, health care, and retirment? If the government is the provider, then the government is the authority. The authority gets to make the rules of engagement, carry them out, and discipline for non-compliance with said rules. How far are you willing to allow the government to go? Are you willing to give up your job of choice because the government finds that you are better suited for another job? This happened in Russia, and we Americans are not so special that it couldn’t happen here. Are you willing to sacrifice your children as guniea pigs on the altar of standardized, government funded “health care”. My husband was finishing school, we didn’t think we could have a baby, a lo and behold we got pregnant. I was on Medicaid in a southern state. This is my personal experience with that mentality. I was threatened with Social Services at the hospital because I wanted to leave the hospital early (prior to the hospitals 2 day policy) after giving birth. The nurse told me that they would report me to Family Services because I “went against medical advice.” There wasn’t anything wrong with me or my baby, I just wanted to leave early because the hospital was grimy. They threatened to take my baby because I didn’t want to conform to their policy. Do you understand the ramifications of this sort of a system? What is a dignified retirement? I guarantee it is different things to different people. How is the government going to provide every person with a retirement that is specially tailored to each person? It won’t happen, and I am sorry but I don’t want, or deserve the same retirement as you. I can’t possibly because we are individuals who have worked at different levels for different goals. Maybe you can enlighten me. I am all ears. Thanks!
I am not deleting this comment b/c I find it borderline respectful, but I will say this, I am not allowing my blog to become a mud slinging debate fest. Civil rhetoric is fine. If you want my opinion on these issues, click the links. They are well laid out there.
Comparing this country to communist Russia is like comparing apples and oranges.
It’s great to see our country so moved and motivated.