Watching the news recently I was interrupted with the realization that there seemed to be an underlying beat of drums in the distance as a captive public awaits the day our first African American president takes the oath of office to take his position as President of the United States of America. Are they bongo drums being thumbed so expertly, diligently never missing a beat, as if timed with our united American breaths that are building the feelings of anticipation, trepidation and gratification? It's not the usual drum roll I'm hearing.
It's a low, foreign methodical beat that seems to accompany the words of the reporters, the movements of the American public as well as the watchfulness of the entire world. The urgency builds day after day, or so it seems. Will they really put a basketball court in the White House? The kids are all taking bets on it. They watching their parent's expressions while they laugh about it to take some sort of hint as to what they should be thinking or saying. Kids do that; it's normal in building their thinking processes and their belief systems. They watch their parents constantly from the day they are born.
Personally, I can feel it. I can feel the deep breathing, the huge gasps of anticipation in waiting to see if things will really change as soon as he takes the oath. I can hear it now, the eternal release of disappointing exhalations when things don't change overnight. All of those naysayers out there who didn't vote for Obama will be ready to persecute him within the first three months of his presidency when things don't become "all better." Then those who did vote for him will be releasing their long held breaths as they just can't hold it any longer. They'll release their tension and sit and wait, giving him some time... maybe six months or so to see what miracles he can perform.
Those are some huge expectations he is carrying around on his shoulders, aren't they? The drums continue to beat as I watch him meeting with past Presidents of America and as I see reality setting in behind his smile. It's a firm, tight lipped smile he's been touting lately, don't you think? Do any of you think he's clued into how much corruption he's up against yet? All I can say is that I'm glad that I don't have his job. I would never want to be THAT responsible.
Then I am forced to remember what happened in George Bush's initial days in office. I will never forget the look on his face as he sat in that elementary school classroom when he was told about September Eleventh. September Eleventh had to change everything that he had been thinking, everything he was about to do... will it happen again? Are those drumbeats those of impending doom?
A nation is feeling the beating of those drums I've been talking about and all for different American reasons. I see the banking financiers drooling for more bailout money, but keeping their hands in their pockets in fear that it's too close to being held accountable for what they're spending the monies on. They might get caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar, (each their own specific favorite kind - chock full of buts and such) and the Wall Streeters are waving their arms in the air so as not to forget how to use them. They're actually flailing right now, but we're trying to ignore them. Who can trust them anymore anyway?
The drums keep beating though, in that underlying methodical beat, as homeowners who may lose their homes at any minute continue praying that hope will hold out long enough for him to put his hand on the Bible. Business owners are pulling out their last hairs as they look into their mirrors and hope that bald is truly as beautiful as they say. They want to hold on just long enough to see what kind of dog will move into the White House before they close the door on their dreams and their sweat and tears.
The GM executives are only auctioning off their cars in hopes of showing the American public that they too are being help captive because of the economy when the American public is truly being reminded of the days that farmers began auctioning off their farm equipment. There used to be honor in feeding America, just as there used to be honor in transporting Americans. People lose their integrity in different ways though. We do remember how that happens, or at least some of us Americans do. Will Obama remember that the farmer had his integrity stolen from him whereas General Motors just got too greedy?
What do you do with the Americans who caused our economy to crash as it has? Will the newly elected and almost sworn in Obama keep those people in control and let them continue to tarnish American pride, the American belief in freedom, or the genuine love of country that our forefathers lost their lives over? Will the hope of the once richest land in the world continue to allow corruption to reign supreme in America?
Whether or not you are democrat, republican or independent - or just plain confused over it all - are you hearing those drums beating in anticipation of what will happen to the United States of America now? Will Inauguration Day come and go and things never change or will there be a tsunami of change - so great that heads will turn and continue to turn as if stuck in the revolving door some people talk about. I just don't know. I just can't feel that. I can only hear those drums and feel the vibration that seems to be ever present.
I do have hope that things will change. I do hold onto the belief that change will happen. I am just not sure if he's experienced enough to see it all through. I'm just not sure that he can withstand the corruption. I'm just not confident that it will be change for the good, for the positive, for the average American instead of the richest Americans. What do you think? What are your thoughts? I'm curious to know what you believe about it all. I do care about what you all think.