The Big Political Picture 2009

After reflecting on the comments to my last post, For Those Who Say Obama Has Done Nothing, in which it was pointed out that our economy is recovering slowly, and words like, “in progress,” and “on the way” do not count as accomplishments, it hit me like a thunderbolt that a big problem the public has is the age old, “can’t see the forest for the trees.”

The truth is, things are much better overall when it comes to politics and government. Here are two pieces of proof. One is this link to a round-up of the political scandals of 2006 from Fox News. (Even though I don’t care at all for the editorial bias of Fox News, when I searched for the information I needed they did have the best to offer.) The other proof is this article I wrote during that time. After reading this post and the article below, don’t you agree that we are so busy concentrating on what is wrong that we are not seeing the bigger picture? Personally, I believe President Obama and many congressional members truly do want the best for our country.

Transparency is the word of the day, and that’s a far cry from the way it was, and mostly always has been. And best of all, for the first time in a long time people CARE what’s happening and are involved. Think about it.

Digging beyond the Dirt

Like many Americans, I have been guilty of apathy. In the last few years I have become disillusioned and disgusted with the state of my nation. But I have been doing something lately that I rarely do anymore; keeping a vigilant eye on the news. I am paying attention. And what I see is mind boggling, nauseating and a huge relief. The veil is being lifted. The heavy curtains of deceit and deception in our government are being drawn open. Like an onion, with each new layer peeled back yet another lie, another dirty secret is uncovered. The wrong doing, the larceny, the cruelty and obstruction of justice are being revealed. I knew in my heart that things were crooked, they have been for years. And what I am seeing is dark and ugly. But instead of worrying about who is to blame—though I do understand that there must be accountability—my heart sees beyond the present, into a future that for the first time in years I feel hopeful about.

Maybe I am naïve, and I know that much of what is being revealed has only happened by force and under oath, but there are also those who have had it with the subterfuge and are coming forward, willing to lay their careers on the line to set the record straight. I envision these as people who have decided that they are first and foremost Americansand are more concerned with the welfare of our county than their own skins. I feel—for the first time in more years than I can remember–that truth will prevail. I see us on a course that will eventually renew the respect we once had for our political leaders, and the pride we have always had for America will be renewed. I see a future in which we once again enjoy the admiration of our neighbors. I am sure–government being what it is, and considering that there are those who are less honorable and will continue to deny their participation, their guilt, clinging to the false impression that America hasn’t opened its eyes–change won’t come quickly. And I suppose there’s a possibility that I am completely wrong, that I am just the foolish dreamer I once was. But my fifty year old heart, which still believes that my country is great, would prefer to think otherwise. This American is going to keep her eyes open. I am optimistic, and have faith that we are headed for major and positive changes.

–author, Denise Kincy Grier, October 2006