Obama - What I expect from him

Jan 20, 2009 

Obama's inauguration comes at a time when the world badly needs HOPE and CHANGE, and Obama appears to stand for both. What he will actually do is yet to be seen, but he surely signifies a clear break from the "business of usual" of the past 8 years -- or even the generally unremarkable legacy of the past 16 years during which America and the world changed forever by stepping into the 21st century and experiencing highs and lows of various kinds, but we did not see any bold, distinctive step emanating from the White House.

Bush presided over one of the worst national and international downfalls in living memory, though he did correctly note that since 9/11 there hasn't been a single act of terrorism on U.S. soil -- and that cannot be just a coincidence. Clinton, on the other hand, presided over one of the most glorious economic highs in recorded history, but his misuse of his august office for petty personal picadillos destroyed the sanctity of the Presidency and underscored the moral degradation that the U.S. in general has been experiencing for decades.

Obama inherits the mantle of leadership today with perhaps the worst ever "baggage" that any President has ever had handed to him. What do I expect him to do? Surely not solve everything at the swign of a magic wand. He has already earned some respect from most quarters by forming a balanced, sensible and formidable cabinet. But nothing and nobody can solve today's mammoth problems rapidly.

What I hope and expect from Obama is, first of all, LEADERSHIP -- an element that has been in short supply for decades and which is the principal shortcoming that plagues American politics today. Give is leadership that is bold, balanced and progressive. Give us leadership that acknowledges the best values of conservative thinking and yet forges a new beginning in open-mided and reformist thought. Free us substantially from politics as usual and the degenerative cronyism that Washington is known for. Do not try to please everyone but do listen to everyone with attention and humility. Give us a new era of responsible governance and accountability.  Give us not just political leadership but moral leadership as well. And above all do not forget that you are empowered by the people of this nation and in spite of being the most powerful man in the world during the duration of your administration, you remain a servant of the people.