Presidential Motorcade

A couple of weeks ago, while heading into work, all traffic and public transportation came to a grinding halt, because the Presidential motorcade was passing through. People were impatient, and quickly became angry. It's understandable, since so many people were headed to work, to job interviews (and we all know how hard it is to nail down a job these days), and doctor's appointments.

But it got me to thinking about President Obama's relationship with the African American and Latino community these days. I've jumped into many heated debates, defending President Obama against those who were former supporters, but are now disgruntled. Often, I'm more saddened than shocked. I know that most of the individuals are watching the same news telecasts that I am, and can clearly see how aggressively, even maliciously, the GOP seeks out ways to hinder anything positive that President Obama tries to initiate. So, I asked, "What more do you think President Obama can do? He's not a king, only a President." Their responses were revealing.

Yes, they could see what was happening, but what they wanted was for President Obama to come out swinging. They said he appeared weak because he wasn't fighting back against the Republicans and conservative Democrats, and all of this made them question their loyalty to him. This I find the most disheartening. My conclusion is that our loyalty is fickle. We supported him while he appeared to be a Juggernaut, an unstoppable force who even threatened to woo some right-wingers. But the minute reality set in, and obstacles began to drop in his path, as if he were trapped within some crazed video game, where the monsters never stop coming, we abandoned him. The situation wasn't going smoothly, Republicans weren't eating out of his hand, so, rather than have his back, or hold his arms up while in battle, we scurry under rocks, hide behind trees, and grumble.

We elected Barack Obama because he is a learned, reasonable man who is in full control of his emotions, not a crotch-grabbing thug, with a pistol waving in the air. We've had more than enough of that during George W. Bush's regime, hurting our standing throughout the rest of the world. Ever since the beginning of his campaign I've been saying that Barack Obama is playing chess, while everyone else is playing checkers. Sometimes, his next move is unclear, or his current move seems strange, but that's how you play chess. He said from the very beginning that bringing this country back on the right track might take 10 years, or more. He said he couldn't do it alone, and that he needed our help. He even stated in his speech - the day he was officially sworn into office - that to those who didn't vote for him, that he was their President too. That means he's not just an African American President, but simply an American President who must serve all Americans, whether we like them or not.

President Barack Obama has accomplished more in his first two years in office than the previous President accomplished - for the average American - in his eight years in office. President Obama requires another term to continue to accomplish his goals for our country, and we should see it through. Besides...who else do we have to choose from? Seriously?