As I listened to Obama’s speech yesterday, it was certainly hard to ignore the statements which served as ringing condemnations of the policies of the last eight years. It’s hard to hear that “science will once again assume it’s rightful place” (I’m paraphrasing) without thinking, “for the last eight years science was clearly discarded in favor of faith-based initiatives and ideologies.” It’s similarly difficult to hear, “America needs to communicate to the world that we are, once again, ready to lead” (again, my phrasing) without realizing that our actions of late have not resembled leadership in any sense. And when we hear “We can no longer compromise our ideals as stated in our most sacred documents in favor of purchasing a little temporary safety” (yes, again, my best recollection of what he said…and obviously borrowed from Benjamin Franklin) we must acknowledge that we have surrendered much to our fears…and our excessive trust of those in power to protect us.
But these indictments were not all I heard or saw. I saw a call to patriotism (the real kind…not simply blind devotion to government) and I saw that call answered in the faces and the cheers of the crowd gathered to observe.
As Robert Creamer points out in his article (the following points are completely attributed to his writing), this resurgence of patriotic fervor might well surprise some…particularly those who have been denouncing Obama, the Democrats, and all liberals as “unpatriotic,” a threat to this nation’s traditions, and concessionary towards this country’s enemies. Creamer is right…people from all walks of life are responding to Obama’s call with displays of pride in our national community…and with hope. I think he is also correct in his identification of the core American principles that Obama appeals to:
1) “First and foremost, Obama and his call to service — to commitment — has touched our most fundamental self interest — our desire for meaning.”
Living in what is known as the “volunteer state,” I can testify first-hand to the giving, hard-working nature of our people. However, I will go one step further and say that we are truly a “volunteer nation.” We give. Our money…our time…sometimes to people not even from this country. We seem to long for purpose. It’s why we are able to sustain a volunteer military. It’s why many Americans become teachers, join the police force, fight fires, and work civil service jobs…even though the pay for ALL of these jobs is well below what we all know it should be. It’s why people during World War II were willing to live under rationing, women left their homes to work in munitions factories, citizens bought war bonds, and everyone simply did without supplies that were needed for the war effort. When Obama calls for sacrifices, and tells us that the sacrifices should involve working to give back to our nation, our workplaces, and our communities…this is something we as Americans respond to…and are proud to do.
2) “Second, Obama — his campaign and his transition – have been unequivocal in their willingness to hold up and unapologetically celebrate the principles that lie at the heart of traditional progressive American values.”
Intelligent change. Optimism. Taking care of each other. Civil service and civic responsibility. Inclusiveness. Protection of liberties. Tolerance. These are traditional progressive values…and certainly American ones.
3) “Third, the new patriotism results from relief. Americans are relieved that they once again can be proud of the way their government acts in the world.”
There have been some to say that not being proud of the government constitutes a form of “unpatriotic” perhaps even “treasonous” behavior. They are, of course, mistaken. The founding fathers of this country would be quick to point out that we are to hold unswervingly to our principles of liberty…not to some blind devotion to a government that diminishes said principles. Yet, many Americans for the last eight years have been led to feel disappointed and betrayed by our government’s actions…and then led by conservatives to feel guilty for feeling disappointed and betrayed. Now we are being told, “It’s ok. You were right to disapprove. They should not have neglected to use the diplomatic process. They should not have lied to you to get our support for an unnecessary war. They should not have subjugated people’s civil rights (particularly right to due process of law). They should not have tortured people in our name. We acknowledge these actions were wrong…and commit to remedying the problems they caused.”
This validates the feelings many of us have had. Removes the guilt. Alleviates the feelings of helplessness. Gives hope for change.
4) “Finally, the election of Obama makes us proud of ourselves.”
Instead of appealing to our differences, applying labels consisting of little more than “us” and “them,” and attempting to define our morality and culture for us…Obama recognizes our diversity, and that our diversity is our strength. Instead of harping on the conception of America as “a Christian nation divided into liberals and conservatives” where the majority are “Christian conservatives” and everybody else is a “barely-tolerated-part-of-what’s-wrong-with-this-country”…Obama reminds us that THERE IS NO majority in this country. We are, instead, a multitude of people with a multitude of ideas and beliefs, each with our own life story and experiences to contribute to the picture of “what America is.”
And…he reminds us that by electing him to our highest office…we PROVED this to be true, and of value.