HOPE, CHANGE and REALITY

2008 The majority of the American voters voted for HOPE and CHANGE.  We knew what we hoped for, we knew we needed to change the political landscape, and we were enamored with the flowing rhetoric that promised a new way of governing our country.  We hoped that the young man with the large engaging smile and the spring in his step would put an end to the divisiveness of racial angers and guilt. That he would put an end to the backroom and double-dealing political practices that put us in places and situations we would not have chosen on our own.  We could finally say that our country had emerged from the darkness into the new world where the color of a person’s skin no longer excluded him from the highest political office in the Free World.  We attached all of our aspirations for a better world to this one vessel of HOPE for a better America, a better society, the world and the America we let our individual and our group imaginations create. 

The changes we perceived and hoped for were simple: an end to the racial tensions that have plagued us since the end of slavery; a government that worked together for the good of the United States regardless of ideology; a transparency that allowed all of us to see our government in action, naked before us warts and all. According to each individual ideology, we were to get everything we wanted.  I fully understand the psychology behind electing this symbol of Hope and Change, human nature makes us wish for more than we have, for something better. 

We always hope our wishes will come true. The majority of our populace did not understand his definition of fundamental change nor did we understand the degree of demagoguery required for him to achieve his ends.  The expectations that the best outcome will take place were not tempered with the facts of who the man was, or is, and what belief structure would be in command of the oval office. 
Our national news organization (those who are supposed to protect our society) forfeited truth and facts in favor of electing our country's first President of color.  That action forgave the years of formation that created the belief structures he would use to guide our country toward his definition of fundamental change.  With his election we would finally be able to set aside the years filled with angst, bitterness, anger and guilt and rid our country of racial tensions. 
The news organizations made a big mistake.  Had they played their role as watch dogs for the good of the American people, we may still have elected him, but it would have been in the light of full disclosure. In the light of truth and full disclosure we would have the opportunity to be more honest today regarding his record as President. 
The actions of the press have put themselves, and those who voted for him in 2008, in the untenable position of admitting they brought about the election of a demagogue to the highest political office in the Free World.  Much like a cat scratching and kicking sand they use distractions and misdirection to cover up their stench.