Many of us have long been frustrated by American political strategies which have nothing to do with serving the people and everything to do with preserving self-serving special interests. So when the inspirational Barack Obama came along and offered to end our frustrations with "change that we can believe in", we enthusiastically jumped on the bandwagon. In fact, so many of us jumped and even pushed the wagon when it was necessary, that Obama is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president of these United States of America. However Obama is rapidly becoming more familiar with the meaning of the common cliche "stuck between a rock and a hard place" due to the unrealistic expectations that he now faces from some of his most ardent supporters.
Recently, Obama received uncharacteristic criticism because of actions like his Senate vote in support of FISA and for what Rev. Jesse Jackson has now famously referred to as "Barack talking down to Black people", for his public yet accurate assertion that some Black men need to take more responsibility for ensuring the societal success of their families. Call this reaction to Obama cognitive dissonance, but these are but two examples of potential problems that lie ahead for Obama when he makes decisions in the context of what he deems to be in the best interest of the country. These are decisions that might conflict with self-serving special interests.
Special interests are not unique to one group or to one cause. I have special interests and you have special interests and invariably my special interests have the potential to conflict with your special interests. That is when compromise is required. In governance, compromise and gridlock do not occupy the same space. To give the United States of America a realistic chance of emerging from the partisan gridlock that has stunted its growth, a successful leader will have to govern using collaboration and yes, compromise.
That is a reality that Obama understands judging by his recent decisions. To his credit, Obama has tried to communicate that changing the political landscape will require both give and take. Maybe Obama would have been more effective in getting this point across if he had asked his audiences the same question that my minister at church often asks when he wants to increase the retention level of his congregants. That question is "Are you listening"?
Assuming that you were not listening intently, Barack Obama has repeated emphasized that he is running to become President of the United States of America. By definition that includes being president of Red States and Blue States, Liberals and Conservatives, Republicans and Democrats. Fill in the blanks with your special interests and Barack has got you covered. However in the interest of the critical need to help move America forward again after it has moved backwards, we must unselfishly accept the personal responsibility to sometimes decrease in order to increase the probability of the success of a higher order. It is a success that will depend more upon our commitment and collaboration than on Obama who will face the unrealistic expectation of being able to simultaneously please everybody.
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