Followed or Chased?

There's an old saying in these here parts that deals with leadership roles like the one President Barack Obama fills. The fundamental problem with being a leader is that you don't know whether you are being followed, or being chased. One thing is for certain, we are watching.

The "opposition" always wants to act in a bipartisan, cooperative way when they are at their weakest. However, when the strongest don't split things down the middle 50/50, the "opposition" can't wait to take to the airwaves and start bitching.

Now, in comes people like Senator John McCain, who can't wait to sink his chops into the President by stating that he's off to a bad start. He's pissed because the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act doesn't cater more to what his side of the fence wants. People are pissed because this "stimulus bill" doesn't look or do exactly what they want it to do -- and I've even read on a few blogs about Obama being a downright idiot.

This is simple "power play tactics" at its best. The bottom line is: Obama could have spawned the perfect bill (which in its current form is not), and he'd still have whiners, bitches, and haters chasing him for the simple fact that they WANT him to fail. They WANT him out so that "opposition" can bolster their power reserves. It's a vicious cycle... a political machine... by which no one man, even the President, can keep well lubed on his own.

So, I ask you the reader... while "opposition" sorts out whether 'bipartisanship' means getting everything you want despite not being in power, who are the real losers? Can the toxic atmosphere of politics in America really be dispelled into TRUE bipartisanship on every issue? Mr. President, beware of your words and promises. The wolves are chasing you out of hunger, but stay true to your flock, and though we may not agree with you on everything, we will follow you. Why? Because we do not want you to fail. We do not want America to fail.

The good news: Opposition will soon realize that we aren't as stupid as they think we are. The wolves will die of starvation.

Hope and Faith

As the U.S. awaits for some sort of economic stimulus plan to materialize into results, it's somewhat disheartening to hear so much criticism about Obama's efforts to revive the economy.

Now, don't get me wrong. I believe that healthy debate is essential for anything... especially something as important as America's economic recovery. However, this is taking 'debate' to a whole new level. Cynicism is threatening our livelihood, and something has to give... and soon. It's time to embrace hope and faith, otherwise, we will be at a point to where we are beating a long-dead horse.

To me, cynical people who chop down every idea that's not their own see this recovery effort in terms of "spending". Those of us with hope and faith are more likely to see this as "investing".... not only in our future, but for those of our children.

It's so much easier for cynical people to spread their negativity around because, inherently, they have put themselves in a win-win situation. If Obama's efforts are fruitless, then they can say that they were right all along. If Obama's efforts prove successful, they can enjoy an economic bounce back with the rest of us.

I can only imagine how the world would look now if those who fought impossible odds in past conflicts adopted such a cynical view like today's society has. I have a deep-down feeling that we can all get this done -- and we will. This is a test, not for just Americans, but for the world.

Enough with the damned finger pointing and posturing.