Copyright 2008, Measure Up Place LLC
I Swear
It was a historic day in America as Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president. “On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics,” Mr. Obama said during his post-oath speech. Unlike the speech four years ago, in which George W. Bush made a promise to spread democracy throughout the world, now President, Obama called upon Americans for their cooperation, their participation, and their support as he laid out his goals of peace.
The challenges that will face President Obama will not wait for him to get comfortable in the White House. On his first full day in office, Mr. Obama will meet with the architect of an Iraq war policy he once opposed, Gen. David Petraeus, to deliver the orders to begin withdrawing combat troops from Iraq. Then Obama must begin to confront the rough road ahead; with the current Israeli actions in Gaza, Iranian nuclear programs, and a domestic economic crisis (to mention only a few) it is unlikely that Mr. Obama will have any time to reflect on his achievement.
Meanwhile, the world waits with collective fingers crossed. Hoping.
Will Obama have what it takes to bring a nation together to rally through these difficult times?
Filing the Cabinet
President-elect Barack Obama’s Cabinet is taking shape and Americans are looking on, hoping to gain a greater sense of what 2009 will promise. As always, appointments come with criticism and Obama’s choices are no exceptions. With progressive critics already scorning “betrayal” and many Republicans on the fence about Obama’s decision to grab so many sitting officeholders for Cabinet positions, the current news is a flurry of speculation.
Here are a few of the current Cabinet appointees:
TREASURY SECRETARY
Timothy Geithner, president of Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
A former member of the Group of Thirty, Geithner will success Henry Paulson and will face a uniquely difficult period in American finance.
SECRETARY OF STATE
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.
The appointment Clinton brings with a bit of White House wisdom and the chance to heal any remaining divides within the Democratic Party carried over from the primaries.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Eric Holder, former deputy attorney general.
Holder has experience, filling his old shoes from the Clinton presidency, but the GOP seems a bit weary of this appointee, recalling his support for the rather infamous Mark Rich (of Clinton pardon fame).
DEFENSE SECRETARY
Robert Gates, holdover from Bush administration.
Gates has already mentioned his plan to close down Guantanamo Detention Center and has been briefing Obama recently regarding Iraq drawdown plans, and it looks as though he will be confirmed again with bipartisan support.
The is no crystal ball for Americans watching their future take shape, only questions and speculations.
Is the president-elect, in fact, a “Clintonian copy”? (to borrow a term from Jack Rothman) Will Obama live up to his call for ‘Change’?
11/04/08
With seven days left until Election Day, candidates are making their last attempts not only to convince Americans of their presidential potentials, but convincing Americans to vote. It seems unbelievable that during the 2000 presidential election only around 51% of potential voters exercised their right to do so. Perhaps voters are too removed from the struggles their ancestors endured for the right to vote in a democratic election or maybe there is something more valued. Examining voting data for the periods following the adoption of the 15th Amendment in 1870 (giving slaves and people of color the right to vote) and the adoption of the 19th Amendment in 1920 (giving women the right to vote), one realizes that receiving the right to vote did not mean people would, in fact, vote.
Is it simple self-interest or cynicism that prevents U.S. citizens from exercising their constitutional rights? A CVF survey revealed that 28 percent of infrequent voters and 23 percent of those unregistered said they do not vote or do not register to vote because they are too busy. Still, 93 percent of infrequent voters agreed that voting is an important part of being a good citizen and 81 percent of nonvoters agreed it is an important way to voice their opinions on issues that affect their families and communities. It seems as though the underlying values of the democratic process are upheld, so what is really keeping people from registering and voting?
The Rock the Vote campaign has established an interesting project entitled A Million Reasons to Vote. This project allows for visitors to upload an image and their reason for voting onto a virtual quilt. These reasons serve as personal testimonials as to why each visitor chooses to vote; from claiming their political power, to speaking their voice, to carrying out their duty as an American citizen, to wanting to make a difference- these individuals testify to taking charge of their right.
One man’s reason reads, “I used to think that as a young African American my voice had no political power. In my culture, this myth has been perpetuated by the apathetic, indoctrinated by previous generations and bestowed upon their successors. After 10 years of adulthood, I FINALLY realize that no one out there will speak my unique voice on my behalf. It’s up to me to speak my own mind! After all, the only voice that lacks political power is the one that is not heard…”
So, on November 4th, 2008, what will be your reason for voting?