Where's FDR when you need him?

First things first- WAY TO GO PHILS!!!!

I was talking with a friend and in the conversation some interesting things were said about this election. First of all, my friend and I both agree that whoever is elected is going to be a one term president. I also believe that unless the incoming president can come in and command FDR style allegiance and the cooperation of the Congress, things are not going to change very much or very quickly, even though everyone agrees that the old way of doing things doesn't work anymore. Barack Obama has not been around long enough to have formed the necessary relationships and will have to contend with racism within congress and their constituencies. McCain's own party will not support him in the type of government intervention this would require and the Democrats won't work with him in this way so that he can fail and they will get to say, "See, that's what you get for electing a Republican!" Our government, being a reflection of the American people, think in the short term- the next election. The policies that will save this country and return it to a place of strength are long term and will require a total paradigm shift. They will require a major change in thinking and action on the part of government, society, and the American people. It is not a return to "the good old days", it is a recognition of the reality of modern life and technology, as well as the increasing globalization of resources, finance, and influence.

After much reflection, I believe that it takes someone who grew up in this type of world to understand and appreciate the changes that have occurred in this nation and I honestly, and with no disrespect, do not believe McCain is that man. He is only human and to succeed, he would need to be the type of person who can totally reject all of the notions he holds based on his lifetime experiences and open his mind to current reality and the different mindset it requires. This type of person is rare and generally does not enter politics. To elect McCain and to expect him to be the architect and promoter of this type of change is not fair to him or to us. While I think he is probably a good man whose intentions are good, I don't think he is equipped to do the job.

I think in that way, Obama is the better man. Having grown up in the times that have shaped modern America- post civil rights, TVs and computers as a part of daily life, a media that actively scrutinizes those who are in the public eye, the UN and international consensus and cooperation, I think he is better able to understand the ways that these and other facets of modern life have shaped who we are. These are not things to be accepted as changes to what he knows of life, they are a part of life for him as they are for everyone. That said, I have my reservations about him as well. What will he do to get the kind of consensus needed to enact the policies needed to create change? Will he be able to do it without having to "sell out"? Will he satisfied with only serving one term in order to achieve the kind of lasting change we need? Will he be willing and able to get over our generations "need to be liked" enough to do what it takes to do the right thing? Will he be able to overcome the influence of growing up in the "Me generation" of the 70's in order to put the interests of others before his own? Maybe he will, but we really don't know enough about him and how he reacts to being under pressure to know these things. I am hesitant about putting such an unknown entity into such a key position at such a critical time. The price we would pay for his failure is a bit too high.

Whoever ends up in the White House in January is in the position to set the benchmark for greatness for the presidency in this century. They also have the chance to go down in history as the Herbert hoover of this century as well- a brilliant man who was unable to rise to the challenge of the times and left to be overshadowed by the man who came after and took it in hand. We all know what the legacy of George W. is; just answer the famous question put forth by his hero Ronald Reagan, "Are you better off than you were 8 years ago?" After a costly 8 year presidential failure, can we afford to make that mistake again? If we can still answer that question with no 8 years from now, will there be any America left to govern?