Let’s see what change brings

By The Daily Progress

Published: November 6, 2008

Spontaneous street parties, people openly weeping tears of deep joy, people falling on their knees in prayers of gratitude — political wins always produce euphoria for the faithful, but none but the most hardened cynic could deny that this celebration was different.

When the United States elected its first black president, truly change was made manifest.

In a sense, this change has been a long time coming; in another, it has arrived with astonishing speed. Just 40 years ago racial segregation was legal in this country. In just over two generations, we have moved from legally discriminating against black people to electing a black man as president.

And we have been moving toward it for some time now, as evidenced by the rise of leaders such as Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice as secretaries of state, filling the highest-ranking position in the president’s Cabinet. There has been a continuum toward the historic moment of Barack Obama’s election that, in deference to the many who have paved the way, should not be forgotten.

The current euphoria over the election is understandable, given its historic importance and symbolic resonance. The celebration is an outpouring of joy both for those who embrace the importance of electing the nation’s first black president and for those who simply, but fervently, seek change.

Let the nation enjoy its celebration a bit longer. Let it retain pride in the symbolism of this election. Then, let us turn to the tough tasks ahead.

There is an inherent danger in euphoria over mere change. We risk placing too many hopes on the abilities of one man, and of burdening that man with too many high expectations.

Unrealistically high hopes and expectations had a role to play in the decline of President Bush’s popularity. We expected him to protect us from terrorism, but could not accept what it would cost us. We blamed him for an economic meltdown, but that is a crisis that originated from the actions of Congress.

Mr. Obama will be tested by both of these crises the moment he steps into office. What we do not know is how he will govern.

Mr. Obama ran as a centrist, and succeeded in drawing together an unstoppable coalition of Americans who believed in that message. He promised to stand up for the middle class, whose voters gave him the majority he needed.

But his record is as a far-left liberal. It remains to be seen whether he will interpret his landslide victory as a mandate to move left or recognize how much he owes to middle-class voters who expect a more moderate approach.

Barack Obama stands at one of the most crucial moments in U.S. history, as we face financial threats from within and security threats from without.

History also demands that the new president live up to his obligations to defend American freedoms, including the freedom to earn a living and retain the use of our earnings without crushing confiscatory taxation. 

At the dawn of a new chapter in history, we wish the president-elect well.

We also wish him to remember that “change” is not always right. America must keep its historic respect for individual and economic freedom. That is our hope and expectation.