What Just Happened?
November 9th, 2008 by Anne McCrady
“The long lines at voting places, the outpouring of emotion when the results came in… reminded me of the first time votes in new democracies I have covered around the world. “
CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour
“This is a new generation of young voters coming of age with their support of Barak Obama. They may for years be influenced by this election. I call them the “O” Generation.”
Commentator and Political Advisor David Gergen
“Mom, it’s 10:01, and America has elected a Black man as President!”
election night voicemail on my cell phone
“My tears were tears of vindication, but the tears of my daughter and grandchildren were tears of hope.”
African American House Majority Whip James Clyburne
New democracy? New Generation? Emotional young people? Racial Justice?
What just happened?!
There is no denying that this week’s election of Barak Obama is an historic event. African Americans embrace it as the fulfillment of Martin Luther King’s dream. Democrats see it as the hard-fought reclamation of the national stage. Progressives sense the possibility of long-overdue recommitment to their ideals. Young people feel they have finally had a voice in their future. The international community welcomes a “regime change” in Washington that might bring peace.
It is notable that one man could unite such disparate groups, but perhaps more notable are those who are not celebrating. To balance my own state of euphoria on the way to fully understanding our country, since last Tuesday, I have spent some time listening to those whose candidate, John McCain, didn’t win (an easy group to find in my part of the country!).
For months, I have listened as these folks stoked their inner fires of disdain for Obama with threats of “terrorist connections” and labels like “inexperienced,” “socialist,” “liberal” and “just-a-good-communicator.”
Several metaphors came to mind this week as I conversed with these people (or read their rantings online), but one comparison rings particularly true (and gives me away as a mother!): I find they remind me of little children upset over not getting the candy they want right now when their parents are taking them home to a nourishing supper.
To extend the metaphor, I believe many who are upset over Obama’s victory are addicted to the “sugar high” of eight years of misguided Me First policies. The recent focus on sweet self interest has come in the form of “insider politics” (favors, bribes & lies), “right by might” (unilateral power by force), “show me the money” (questionable and immoral investments) and “country club economics” (poverty will make them stronger).
Worst of all, many who decry the election results had barely tasted the tainted sweetness Republicans offered. Their experience of the “good life” was, for the most part, vicarious: they dreamed they might one day be rich enough to need McCain’s tax break; they drew pride from watching other people’s family members fight the axis of evil on TV; they enjoyed thinking about people worse off than them having to work harder; they dreamed of buying houses they couldn’t afford seeking a gated community where everyone was like them.
Despite the folly of their indulgences, President-elect Obama will need to lead these folks as well as his supporters. So, back to our metaphor, what needs to happen next if we want to soothe the national conservative tantrum and invite everyone to the delicious American family dinner that awaits us?
A lot, of course! But it is possible to host a family reunion in the worst of circumstances. Amazing woman like Barak Obama’s beloved grandmother and probably most of our grandmothers have done it for years! What, in particular should we serve up on our national dinner table?
Here are my menu choices:
· Economic policy that insures that a couple who both work can earn enough to have a middle class lifestyle: a house, two cars, healthcare, children able to go to college and/or work, public infrastructure that is safe and financial security.
· Healthcare for families with a new system based on our community-based public health system, Medicare and SCHIP and in tandem with successful healthcare markets.
· Foreign policy that re-establishes America’s role in the world as a shining light of freedom, opportunity, leadership, vision, technology, innovation, wisdom, morality, faith, compassion and strength.
· A recommitment to Public Education from pre-K to college that empowers every citizen
· An energy policy that is also sound environmental, social, economic, international and moral policy
· Family values redefined in the framework of Obama’s biography: diversity of what makes a family, hard work, education, true love, life-long commitment, children, faith and community service.
Difficult situations are the playground for genius. I believe Barak Obama is ready for the challenge. Most exciting for me is that the next chapter in America seems to be aligned with the InSpiritry values that inform my life and work, the tenets of Greater Good Thinking:
Community – Living with an essential connection to God, to the Earth and to the people of the world
Compassion – Caring for and understanding others enough to take action to put them before self
Creativity – Finding new ways to solve problems, enjoy life and express ideals
Collaboration – Creating connections, working together, listening to each other and welcoming diversity
Consilience – Valuing and using the synergy between education, knowledge and experience
Courage – Doing the right thing even when it is difficult or painful
Celebration - Joy, hope, optimism, gratitude and humility
As to the question that began this post — What just happened? – I think it was best said by one of our country’s former great leaders:
“America…we have a rondevous with destiny!”
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
When We Come Together to Meet Our Destiny, We Can be a Blessing!
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