I am sympathetic with both the disappointed who hoped for better appointments and the cynical who expected no better. But I think it best to await developments, rather than trying to divine outcomes, and feel disappointment, from first steps.
Clearly Obama's limited record was right of center; he was as much a corporate candidate as Clinton. Who else could be elected given near total corporate control of media and "major" political parties? If Obama wasn’t, then he would have joined Dennis and Ron in the "not serious" sandbox corporate media reserved for candidates trying to challenge the designated "serious" candidates.
While the predictably vacuous campaign left one wondering anew about the need for voter custodial care, it is nevertheless true that Obama, showing exceptional communication, organizational, and tactical skills, won the nomination and election against heavy odds. While I voted for neither “serious” candidate, I believe the outcome the best one could expect.
Now Obama, and the nation, are heir to misfortune left us by Bush & Co. With two wars, a mismanaged financial crisis budding into a world-wide “not since the depression” economic collapse, a general unraveling of lawful governance and sense of commonwealth, and a population hopeful but deeply alienated, Obama, and the nation, now face far heavier odds.
I believe the best immediate course of action is to go to Washington for the inaugural, hopefully a huge turnout will send a serious message to both Obama and the Congress: the population is expecting better and in motion. A million or more cheering voices on January 20 will deliver, far better than countless second-guessing blogs, both our best wishes and the threat of disappointment.
So let us all go to Washington and cheer together.
