200901201200 EST - or more commonly known as - Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 at 1200PM EST (noon) - will be a history making moment for the United States of America.
Our President Elect Barack Obama will become our nation's 44th President. It is fitting that it takes place one day after we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr day. Today is historical if you are African American, Anglo American, Asian American, Hispanic American, or an alien from another planet. It marks the first time an African American has held the office of the President of the United States. And i think this is a good thing.
There are a great deal of issues that i do not agree with President Obama on, and one of the really good things about America is, that's OK. I like how our soon to be President has made an effort to reach across the aisle to make the effort to work together with the Republican party. Now, will the Democrats and Republicans play nice and get along? No, not completely. How can they? In general they have different agendas, different priorities, different ideologies. There are two trains of thought here... on one hand it is touted that such things is what makes this country what it is... on the other it is said that a house divided cannot stand.
I don't feel that our differing opinions and objectives is what make us "great". I feel it has always been our ability to roll up our sleeves and work together to reach a goal in spite of our differences. In the early years of our country (comparatively) we banded together to form this Nation, to get it off the ground, out from under foreign rule, and get on our feet.
Then the Civil War decided if a "confederation" (if you will allow me the use of the term here) of individual states would remain banded together under one Federal government. (Foot note here: although it did not start out as a war to free slaves, that was one issue, and it became a defining background and overall achievement of that war.) Then America industrialized and learned how to make factories highly profitable. Eventually we were drawn into stopping a group of countries from oppressing it's neighbors, not once - but twice. Since then we've tried to play policeman to the world. Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Cuba, etc. I am not so sure this is a role we can play effectively. It has slowly drained our morale as a country, weakened our influence around the world, and really driven a wedge into partisan politics that has affected practically all areas of division between the two major political parties in this country. America, if she is not careful, will continue over the edge of a very dangerous precipice.
There is a line on an old
Jethro Tull Album i have where
Ian Anderson says, "It was a new day yesterday, but by God it's an old day now". We, as Americans (and that includes my fellow Americans in Canada, all the way down to Chile and Argentina) cannot rest on accolades that fade. We need to find common objectives and put our resources and efforts - and make them happen.
So, although i do not agree with President Obama on most issues, i do support him as my President. After all God has allowed his Presidency for whatever reason it will ultimately be used for His glory. He has also placed me in a country where i can voice my opinion and not be jailed for it (although persecution does not always mean imprisonment), i can even work to help effect change towards such goals.
May God grant President Obama grace, wisdom, strength, insight, and protection. May God watch over him. May God help him to lead effectively, and may the history he makes not just be for being an African American - in a good way for all Americans. But ultimately may God grant us, as a nation, a unifying vision.
200901201200 EST - or more commonly known as - Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 at 1200PM EST (noon) - will be a history making moment for the United States of America. 
Our President Elect Barack Obama will become our nation's 44th President. It is fitting that it takes place one day after we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr day. Today is historical if you are African American, Anglo American, Asian American, Hispanic American, or an alien from another planet. It marks the first time an African American has held the office of the President of the United States. And i think this is a good thing.
There are a great deal of issues that i do not agree with President Obama on, and one of the really good things about America is, that's OK. I like how our soon to be President has made an effort to reach across the aisle to make the effort to work together with the Republican party. Now, will the Democrats and Republicans play nice and get along? No, not completely. How can they? In general they have different agendas, different priorities, different ideologies. There are two trains of thought here... on one hand it is touted that such things is what makes this country what it is... on the other it is said that a house divided cannot stand.
I don't feel that our differing opinions and objectives is what make us "great". I feel it has always been our ability to roll up our sleeves and work together to reach a goal in spite of our differences. In the early years of our country (comparatively) we banded together to form this Nation, to get it off the ground, out from under foreign rule, and get on our feet. 
Then the Civil War decided if a "confederation" (if you will allow me the use of the term here) of individual states would remain banded together under one Federal government. (Foot note here: although it did not start out as a war to free slaves, that was one issue, and it became a defining background and overall achievement of that war.) Then America industrialized and learned how to make factories highly profitable. Eventually we were drawn into stopping a group of countries from oppressing it's neighbors, not once - but twice. Since then we've tried to play policeman to the world. Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Cuba, etc. I am not so sure this is a role we can play effectively. It has slowly drained our morale as a country, weakened our influence around the world, and really driven a wedge into partisan politics that has affected practically all areas of division between the two major political parties in this country. America, if she is not careful, will continue over the edge of a very dangerous precipice.
4 comments:
Well either this was really good and honest and truthful - or I am really lacking in sleep. I actually was tearing up over reading this post. It is an amazing day for this country! Whether we agree or disagree with whom is in office; this is an amazing country. We have rights that no where else.
Blessings to all in office!
For all of my disagreeing with his pro-abortion stance, I do believe it's my duty to honor and support him. Today I'm just sad, though. Loved the Jethro Tull lyric.
A really great post today John. I will happily join you in praying for more unity in the nation.
well said john. thanks.
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