President Obama and His Mob

So, technically, I'm disqualified from this context. No biggie, I'm not too concerned about this. I'm writing this in hope that, perhaps, my idea will get out there; if it isn't out there already in someone else's words.

And yesterday, and today, millions of people are cheering, and blogging about the newly appointed President Obama.

I know nothing of his policies.

I don't know him personally.

From the few speeches and words I have heard though, I like him, and am even impressed. He sounds educated, humble, realistic, and strong. He is an excellent speaker, and I can see how he inspires so many.

I want to keep this short and concise. I don't want to bring up issues of policy, or race, or war, or economies, or the environment. I want to say, what I think is happening, and what is going to happen.

We have a mass of people, not all of them American, not all of them involved with the election of President Obama, but still feeling touched. We are constantly bombarded with the message that he will bring change. And I don't want to discuss that either. It seems however that his message of hope and change are overshadowing something else that I think forms a base for hope and change: responsibility.

And I see a strange sort of irony, in that people are praising President Obama and almost treating him like a hero, a saviour, a knight in shining armour. And I don't think it is a matter of whether or not he CAN be a hero, a saviour, or a knight in shining armour. I don't think he WANTS to be a hero, a saviour, or a knight in shining armour.

I think, and pardon my drama, that a good portion of people will come to his feet, and say "Change the world for us sir! Save the planet! Save America! Save us!" And if he is strong, and if he is honest, here is what I think his answer will be...

With little hesitation, with no coldness, but rather, a humble confidence, he will say "Save yourselves. Save each other."

And this is the responsibility I speak of. One man will not save our world, I hope only that he inspires the rest. He still must work with governors, and senators, and lobbyists, and corporate sponsors, and citizens; all of which who may be in his own nation, but others as well. He may be the first change, the first to act, but he cannot be the last, and he cannot be alone.

So after the President's reply, a few, maybe even all of the gathering will turn to each other, perhaps confused at first, but growing in their acceptance and understanding of his cryptic reply. And they will take responsibility, and they will make change.

But contrary to hope, and faith, I don't think this will last. The novelty will wear thin, people will return to selfish ways and means. People will revert to their seemingly natural state of laziness.

And the change we were supposed to bring about together, will not come. And the hope will die. And blame will need to be placed. And President Obama will become a martyr without a cause. A sacrifice to a Godless rabble (now THAT is drama!).

His followers will betray him, a story told so many times in history. And it is too bad really, because I think he is a good man.

And I hope this doesn't offend, and I don't want people to think that I'm rooting for his failure. I am not. But... I am a skeptic at heart, and faithless at best. What little hope I can muster, I'll send his way. Your way. Our way. Whatever...

I'm sure someone will say that he needs our faith, belief, and support to keep him going. That I should believe, and it's people like me that are what's wrong with the world, or that will hinder his presidency. Perhaps. But there are enough believers out there that he should continue to be successful, as long as you believe, regardless of my view.

Prove me wrong, or, prove me right. It's your responsibility now. And that's my point.