Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Dawn of a new day...

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Depending on your view point, today is either the dawn of a new day, or just another day in the life. History was made today either way - the first black President was installed. To me, before his speech, I felt it was just another day and time would tell whether this President was the stuff that our modern day legends are making him out to be. After the speech? I'm not sure. I do feel more motivated and invigorated by the speech than any other I've heard short of John F. Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" speech. In much the same way, that was the message. In much the same way, that's what we must do to succeed. I believe hard choices are coming and hard choices will be made. I believe we are about to see the end of social security (which isn't necessarily bad...I can't think of anyone around my age who believes it will be there for us anyway). I believe many other things taken for granted will be gone.

I believe however, that this is a means to an end, but not THE means to the end. By cutting ineffective programs, we will stem the flood. But until people realize they need to pick themselves up by the bootstraps and others decide to help in that process, our own worst fears will continue. I believe in time we'll find out if Barack is a good leader. I believe today however, he proved to be the correct leader at the correct time and his speech did as much to boost that confidence and pride as any I've ever heard.
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