I have been hearing a lot of talk about FDR today, and it has kicked me in the metaphorical pants.I am reminded that Franklin Roosevelt was a transformational president. Barack Obama understands that, and with that understanding, has the potential to be another transformational president.
FDR also was able to "call a spade a spade" to use an old chestnut. He spoke about the politics of division, and how when they are successful, a nation is broken. The type of divide and frighten politics coming out of the McCain campaign and its supporters sounds like the divisive politics of the 1930s. Sarah Palin thinks that looking backwards is looking at the current administration, much less anything that has happened in the lifetimes of the voters.
We are at a point where we need to unite as Americans. The McCain campaign is focusing on instilling fear and suspicion in people, insisting that it is essential to maintain the status quo.
But is the status quo the right thing for the country?
FDR faced remarkably similar circumstances to today when he took office. Even if it is not apparent to the Republicans, the American people see that something has to change. Continuing a policy that protects the wealth of the rich at the expense of everyone else is not good for the country.
Prosperity of the middle class is what is good for the country, and that happens when the system is fixed from the bottom up, not the top down. Barack Obama gets that.
1 comment:
I'm happy to hear that your ennui has had a kick in its proverbial pants but it was understandable. It has been a long season -- Obama started early and hasn't had the luxury of pausing. He really is a long-distance runner.
I recently saw the LBJ bio on the American Experience and was reminded that the great presidents have been those who retain the capacity to see the bigger picture. As you said, Obama gets that.
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