ROBERTA M. HELMING: We must take responsibility for Obama’s promises

ROBERTA M. HELMING: We must take responsibility for Obama’s promises


By ROBERTA M. HELMING

For The Norwich Bulletin
Posted May 02, 2010 @ 11:29 PM

The 2008 presidential campaign will go down in history as one filled with extraordinary idealism and overly optimistic rhetoric.
President Barack Obama is a dynamic, eloquent speaker. Many believed in his “Dream” and “Yes, We Can” rhetoric. Obama wasn’t deceptive. He believed in his dream. He saw possibilities that would bring change to this country. So what went wrong?
Many were taken in by the over-idealistic nature of his dream campaign. Inside campaign headquarters, volunteers seemed to be puppets reciting the unrealistic dreams in the mantra given them. Not long after Obama’s inauguration, reality arrived. He hasn’t been able to fulfill many of the ideals implied by the vernacular of his campaign.
His strategies were full of ideologies capturing the attention of those desperately in need, and who embraced his convincing messages. In many ways, his campaign was too lofty and promised too much.
In fairness to the president, who among us cast a truly informed vote based on listening and not just hearing?
Many couldn’t foresee the reality that his grand ideas wouldn’t survive up against a polarized Congress. But truly, did anyone believe that Obama’s inauguration would end the gridlock that comes with working with Congress? Congress has railroaded Obama’s visions for this country. And for many, his dream has become a nightmare, and has led to skepticism among many voters. Many have turned their backs on the president in search of a new, but perhaps equally unattainable dream.
It’s time for Americans to accept some blame for being caught up in the “feel-good moment” of this campaign. Obama’s campaign spoke heavily to those desperate and couldn’t see that change would take time. People were looking for instant “feel-good” change that won’t occur. And shame on Obama for not stressing this sufficiently during his campaign, causing an aftershock for many.
A starting point
In the final analysis, Obama won’t realize all his dreams and promises, but we need to acknowledge that getting the ball rolling during his term(s) might be more realistic.
But this reality isn’t solely Obama’s problem. Learning from the past is the best way to avoid repeating mistakes. Voters should listen to what is really being said, not the feel-good stuff. Look for the hard reality hidden behind the rhetoric. It seems we chose a good president, but he faces difficult realities in working with Congress.
Changes might have to come from the choices that our “vote for change” brings in the upcoming elections.
But for now, we must help this country and this president by being proactive in politics. Write letters, make phone calls and be our “own leaders.” Let’s ask tough questions.
Change is realized one person at a time — over time. Become involved in a small way so those dreams and “Yes, We Can” ideals aren’t mere rhetoric, but reality.
Roberta M. Helming is a freelance writer from Ledyard and can be reached at RMHelming@aol.com

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