Walnut Room this way

Walnut Room this way
Rio.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

State of the Union

I have to confess that I am most unhappy with the state of the union this past year. Full disclosure, I supported and campaigned for President Obama.

I also confess that as I was waiting for the address, I did feel a rushing of pride and accomplishment as I saw President Obama standing in the doorway waiting to walk down the aisle to deliver his first State of the Union speech. It still awes me and amazes me that we elected an African American as President of the United States, and for who I thought he was and would be, I am proud of that.

Then, there was Vice President Joe Biden--looking like a commercial for Crest White Strips most of the speech--that just seemed to annoy me. I was also annoyed by the consistent standing of the left and the consistent seating of the right--neither of which was deserved for the most part.

Yes, there were things President Obama said that I disagreed with and which did not deserve "agreement." There were also things he said that I did agree with and which made sense, and yes, renewed my sense of optimism and hope for the United States. The United States OF America. Not AMERICA. There is North America, Central America, and South America, and I confess, it drives me to distraction that we say "America" when we mean the United States.

It bothered me that the there was only one time the justices of the Supreme Court stood and acknowledged a comment, and that there was only one time the leaders (generals, admirals, ?) of the Armed Forces stood and acknowledged a comment.

I cannot imagine how difficult it is to be President, based on how difficult I know it has been to be the director of programs in my past. I have to admire and respect that difficulty. I recall once when I was upset about something when Randy and I were buying our house in Texas and I opened my Bible and my eyes fell on a text: Do not flog an official for carrying out his responsibility.

I am unhappy with health care and housing and jobs and education--I will say that straight out. No, we do not have the best of that of any country, and yes, there are other countries that are worse. Traveling to other countries broadens one's perspective--to be able to see the benefits of the homeland, and to see the deficits of the homeland.

I struggle to keep the faith, to believe in the kind of change that will benefit all of us, and the hope that our generosity and love for each other can triumph over our greed and suspicion and fear.


2 comments:

Betty said...

Watching ast night, I thought it was rude that certain segments literally sat on their hands, looked at their neighbors or were texting their friends. I think most of the country applauded his efforts but felt it was taking too long. Then again, change usually does.

Kathi said...

I see we are very much on the same page - literally- as we both blogged about similar and same issues! (I should have said U.S. citizens... :) )