Day 2

1/12/09

Listening to the lectures today, there were two that stood out in my mind. The first was given by Michael Genovese, author of "Memo to the Next President". In his address, he spoke about what President-elect Obama has to face. The world has changed quite drastically since he first announced his candidacy: we are now amidst a serious economic melt down where major reform needs to take place, currently facing two wars (which unfortunately seem to be consistently forgotten about), massive opposition to both Guantanamo Bay and Abu Garaib, among other things. Presidents that have been placed in office in times of prosperity have traditionally had their "hands tied", whereas in these times, Obama will be in a position to grab power much more easily. The question does arrise though: how does one use that power? The answer argued by Marc Pachter later in the day is through intellect and temperament, both clear qualities held by our new president. It is without question given the situation that Obama will possess power, so the real question we must ask ourselves before he begins his term is: will he be wise in his use of power?

The second was from two USA columnists, Cal Thomas and Bob Beckel, republican and Democrat respectively. Together the two of them have their bi-weekly column comparing views as well as their book "Common Ground". What separates these two in my mind from all other politicians is something that should actually be in all: their belief that at the end of the day, their goal is not the betterment of their respective parties, but rather the betterment of the nation. This is something that has been severely lacking in this country. The best case scenario is from the mortgage crisis which has lead to a massive bank failure. How is promoting individual parties a cause of this crisis? Because of the implications that emanate from it. By wanting to promote parties, they promote achieving the new American dream: owning a home. However, this is not a dream that should be held by all, and the responsibility of these politicians in realizing this has led to deregulation in the criteria regarding housing loans and mortgages and everything of the like. What should have been promoted is a sense of living within your means, but since every politician wants to say that "under their administration, they were able to have more Americans achieve the dream of owning a home then ever before" they forget what really happens. And unfortunately we are now learning the lesson: with loans becoming impossible to pay back, banks become stretched too thin and are now collapsing. While saying this is all due to politicians might be a little drastic, one cannot deny their hand in this. And it is this thought process that Thomas and Beckel spoke about, the idea that we as a people must refrain from promoting parties and rather promote the good of a unified nation, catering to all, and achieving a "Common Ground".