by Melody Edwards

Created on: June 11, 2009

No, America did not get what it wanted with President Obama because as a whole we are never satisfied with anything or anyone. Of course we need a change from the narrow minded, arrogant, and greedy mentality that has brought us up to this day. I admire President Obama for his transparency, sense of integrity and determination to make a difference, but everyday a new stone is hurled in an attempt to tear him down. I understand that we have expectations of him as our leader, but I wonder what our decisions would be if put in the same situations. It's like a football game. We cheer and boo and talk about how the players should not have fumbled or not missed a pass, but being in the game is a whole different story. It's like walking a mile in my shoes, until you do that, you really have no comment.

The thing that impacted me most during the election was Obama's belief in us as human beings and our ability to each do our part to change the world. This country as any organization is a reflection of its leadership. We are self-centered and superficial not really caring about the next person and the manifestation of that is evident today. Martin Luther King said in one of his speeches: I cannot be all that I can be unless you are all that you can be; we are a chain. Obama is the type of leader who wants to bring that about and he knows that it is not all about him. It is about all of us working together, not about the "me" mentality. Obviously Obama has the authority to make critical decisions, but he seems to be the type of man who will make those decisions based on what is right, not based on skin color or how much money goes into his bank account. No, he is not perfect, but he is willing to listen and he hears.

Americans somehow don't appreciate that and still look to criticize and blame instead of welcoming the needed change in this country. The media is even so shallow as to criticize Michele Obama for wearing her arms out or President Obama for not wearing a tie while in the Oval office. What does that have to do with life and the hardships we face? Americans so often forget that in order to command respect, you have to be respectful even if you do not agree with someone. We have to take inventory in each of our homes and that does not mean the lawn and flowerbeds outside. That means basements and attics where we keep all of our little ignorant stuff. We will not always agree, but we still do not get the overused cliche about agreeing to disagree. We cannot look to President Obama as our savior because he is not. He is a man, a human being, just as we are, but he is a man who strives to be a leader of excellence, as we all should.

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