Gosh, What An Awful Country

I was kind of feeling well , having worked all day, and accomplishing quite a lot. Then, tonight, I tuned in to listen to Senator Obama's acceptance speech, and suddenly, the good feelings were all gone. Obama was seriously busy, telling all of America just how failed a country we are. Soup lines are humming, the homeless pull themselves up, and clap their hands in joyful appreciation. Ca-ching! Ca-ching! The future of our children, and grandchildren groans under the anticipated weightiness of Obama's projected spending plans. The crowd roars it's approval, and smiles rapturously. The Messiah speaks of ending our dependence on "foreign" oil by retooling oil companies, so that the future cars being built, will serve us well. He promises those who volunteer in service to America, will be rewarded with college educations. He stresses the notion that somehow he is ready to debate John McCain on the matter of who is best suited to be our next commander-in-chief. Really? Is he prepared to do all that?

Cutely, he tries to take credit for success in Iraq, and hand it to Democrats who have washed their hands of the war so long ago. He tries to take the idea of failed patriotism off the discussion table, by asserting that he will not engage in such acts. The Second Ammendment, and gay rights are foremosst among his concerns. Let us not forget the abortion divide, which seperates so many of us. Surely, we can find common ground upon which to stand.

Something across America is indeed stirring Mr. Obama. You protest this election is not about you, but about the people of America. Yet, your proposals are directed against those same people you claim to support. His concern for the child torn from the arms of an illegal immigrant mother, tugs at the heartstrings of us all, or so he believes. The children, the families, the veterans, the cities to rebuild, these are all his promises to us.

The speech, now over, leaves one breathless with anticipation. Tomorrow, his words will be parsed, and picked apart. Over, and over again, will the expected realities be fleshed out, and put into proper contextual relationships. Give the man credit. He does deliver an excellent speech. What remains, just as importantly, will be matching the soaring rhetoric with soaring deeds. Emotion sags now, and we return to a sense of normalcy. Truly, are we better off now than we were but mere minutes ago? Time and the buzzards will tell.

Next, is the John McCain show. Whom will he select for his vice president? Who indeed? May we expect similar promises, and intentions? Or, will we be treated to a more earthly show, one that deals directly with current problems, and with future potential problems?

The speech was not ordinary, but neither was it extraordinary. It falls somewhere in the middle. Remember, tomorrow is a new day. A day of anticipation. A day of wondering, and also a day of work ahead. The pundits are front and center now, so good night to all.