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What Just Happened?!

There is no denying that this week’s election of Barak Obama is an historic event. African Americans embrace it as the fulfillment of Martin Luther King’s dream. Democrats see it as the hard-fought reclamation of the national stage. Progressives sense the possibility of long-overdue recommitment to their ideals. Young people feel they have finally had a voice in their future. The international community welcomes a “regime change” in Washington that might bring peace.

It is notable that one man could unite such disparate groups, but perhaps more notable are those who are not celebrating. To balance my own state of euphoria on the way to fully understanding our country, since last Tuesday, I have spent some time listening to those whose candidate, John McCain, didn’t win (an easy group to find in my part of the country!). 

For months, I have listened as these folks stoked their inner fires of disdain for Obama with threats of “terrorist connections” and labels like “inexperienced,” “socialist,” “liberal” and “just-a-good-communicator."

Several metaphors came to mind this week as I conversed with these people (or read their rantings online), but one comparison rings particularly true (and gives me away as a mother!): I find they remind me of little children kicking and screaming on the floor at Walmart over not getting the candy they want right now when their parents are taking them home to a nourishing supper.

To extend the metaphor, I believe Americans who are upset over Obama’s victory are addicted to the “sugar high” of eight years of misleading Me First policies. The Republican focus on sweet self interest has come in the form of “insider politics” (favors, bribes & lies), “right by might” (unilateral power by force), “show me the money” (questionable and immoral investments) and “country club economics” (poverty will make them stronger).

Worst of all, many who decry the election results had barely tasted the tainted sweetness Republicans offered. Their experience of the “good life” was, for the most part, vicarious: they dreamed they might one day be rich enough to need McCain’s tax break; they drew pride from watching other people’s family members fight the axis of evil on TV; they enjoyed thinking about people worse off than them having to work harder; they bought houses they couldn’t afford seeking a gated community where everyone was white.

Despite the folly of their indulgences, Obama will need to lead these folks as well as his supporters. So, back to our metaphor, what needs to happen next if we want to soothe the national conservative tantrum and invite everyone to the delicious American family dinner that awaits us? A lot, of course, but it is possible to host a family reunion in the worst of circumstances. Amazing woman like Barak Obama’s beloved grandmother have done it for years!

What, in particular should we serve up on our national dinner table? Here’s my menu choices:

·         Economic policy that insures that a couple who both work can earn enough to have a middle class lifestyle: a house, two cars, health, children who can go to college and/or to work, public infrastructure and financial safety.

·         Healthcare for families with a new system based on our community-based public health system, Medicare and SCHIP and in tandem with successful healthcare markets

·         Foreign policy that re-establishes America’s role in the world as a shining light of freedom, opportunity, leadership, vision, technology, innovation, wisdom, morality and strength.

·         A recommitment to Public Education from pre-K to college that empowers every citizen as being among our highest ideals

·         An energy policy that is also sound environmental, social, economic, international and moral policy

·         Family values redefined in the framework of Obama’s biography: diversity of what makes a family, hard work, education, true love, life-long commitment, children, faith and community service.

Let's set aside our rivalries; it is time for all of us to sit down at the table together!