Post by Darrell Peebles on Mar 5, 2008 2:29:05 GMT -5
Do we feel that America becomes a better country if Obama or Clinton get elected president? I for one do not think that the campaign policies espoused now will make much of a difference to that question. The question is as basic as the answer may be fundamental. No one has an honest clue as to the effectiveness either candidate might have in that position. There is not even enough track record to judge capabilities. This leaves us with the notion that they could mean what they say, but may not be able to deliver. As such, like-ability plays a major role here.
Once we get past the idea that either candidate could effect the kind of change to satisfy the majority, we get to the brass tacks. A special place in history is reserved for either of these two candidates. This special place is for the eternal dreams of the old, the middle aged who were expected to make it happen, and the youth who, like generations before them, were told anything is possible, and might just get to witness it.
There are examples of this effect worldwide, such as Margaret Thatcher in England, but not in the US. An African American in the white house top spot would indeed cause a rift throughout the world. It may only be a rift of curiosity, but he would be more closely followed than any previous president, save George Washington.
Does any of this make America better? Well, some would say it would be hard to do worse, though they would be wrong. Like it or not, it can get worse, though not many of us thought in 2000 it could be as bad as it is. The only discerning difference a Black or a woman would make in the muck that is US policy now, is that there could be a groundswell of inspiration and hope, based solely on the idea that America has joined the world in letting a woman or man of color sit in the top chair, almost akin to Nelson Mandela in South Africa, though that was a true movement.
There was a time when the idea of a Black man as president was a phenomenon of an idea. Is that feeling of amazement still vivid, or has it been effectively homogenized? After all, Blacks are a little better off since Jesse Jackson's runs.
What do others think?
Darrell
Once we get past the idea that either candidate could effect the kind of change to satisfy the majority, we get to the brass tacks. A special place in history is reserved for either of these two candidates. This special place is for the eternal dreams of the old, the middle aged who were expected to make it happen, and the youth who, like generations before them, were told anything is possible, and might just get to witness it.
There are examples of this effect worldwide, such as Margaret Thatcher in England, but not in the US. An African American in the white house top spot would indeed cause a rift throughout the world. It may only be a rift of curiosity, but he would be more closely followed than any previous president, save George Washington.
Does any of this make America better? Well, some would say it would be hard to do worse, though they would be wrong. Like it or not, it can get worse, though not many of us thought in 2000 it could be as bad as it is. The only discerning difference a Black or a woman would make in the muck that is US policy now, is that there could be a groundswell of inspiration and hope, based solely on the idea that America has joined the world in letting a woman or man of color sit in the top chair, almost akin to Nelson Mandela in South Africa, though that was a true movement.
There was a time when the idea of a Black man as president was a phenomenon of an idea. Is that feeling of amazement still vivid, or has it been effectively homogenized? After all, Blacks are a little better off since Jesse Jackson's runs.
What do others think?
Darrell