Our new president was inaugurated today: many of us watched the event from our homes and offices, stopping in our tracks to hear the words that will set the tone for the next phase of our country’s journey.
Mr Obama’s speech was inspirational and well put-together.
Now, before I continue, I’ll mention that I voted for Mr Obama because I felt his message and platform closely match my own priorities, and I am glad that he won the election.
That said, I have to admit I am terribly uncomfortable with the Rock Star status we’ve given our president. People have “Obama-ized” their Twitter and Facebook icons, and are a little too focused on the “We Won!!!!” aspect of the election’s outcome.
Based on much of what I’ve seen, you would think we just elected Eric Clapton president. (Okay, if this was 1972. And if he was American. And if he actually wanted to be president. I think you get my point.)
I have absolutely nothing against celebrations in general, and nothing against celebrating the victory that Mr Obama represents from so many standpoints. The president and those who worked hard to support his campaign deserve to cut loose today.
What concerns me is Tomorrow.
Barack Obama is not a rock star. He’s not The Wizard of Oz. He’s a man who’s got a very tough job to do: he needs to address the economy and the threat of terrorism, both areas that have spiraled in recent years. Hero worship alone cannot sustain the changes needed to bring the country where it needs to be.
What worries me most is that we as a country have tough choices to make, and when a Rock Star says something unpopular, he suddenly finds himself at the bottom of the charts. To quote the president’s inaugural speech:

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.

A clear message, to be sure. And I sincerely hope the people with Obama-ized icons will be willing to listen to the man when he has an unpleasant message to send about those challenges that will not be met easily or– more importantly– in the “short span of time.” The true believers of Change will stand by the president. Hero worshippers may not.
Today, conservative columnist Cal Thomas wrote in an open letter to the president: “You campaigned on change and won the election. That was the easy part. Every new administration comes to town thinking it will be better than the one before it, more honest, more ethical, more competent. But people and events have a way of frustrating the loftiest goals. All of your good intentions notwithstanding, no one person can change a city built on a swamp, a city that has taken on many of a swamp’s characteristics.”
Okay, so Cal’s a bit of a downer. Still, there’s something to be said for taking a realistic view of the world and the politics of our country. I believe that those who listen to the Rush Limbaughs and Rachel Maddows of the world– I know people who are fanatical about each of them– should keep their eyes on what’s real and what’s noise. Be careful what you accept as truth, and what you should realize is merely showmanship.
I truly want to see Mr Obama succeed. The United States has too long been mired in areas where we shouldn’t, and the wrong priorities have driven us for too long.
Change is good. And I am willing to give it the time and energy it deserves.