It’s been a year since I played hookey from school and watched Barack Obama take the oath of office and move from being that super smooth politico-celebrity to leader of the free world.

It’s been even longer than that since I spent many a Saturday morning in front of the public library trying to convince people to, once they returned their library books, vote early (or simply register to vote and by the way, would they consider voting for Barack Obama and these other politicians that I think are pretty cool.

I was, and still am for the most part, inspired by Barack Obama and his near meteoric rise from Chicago no-name to POTUS. I really didn’t get all the “hope” bullshit, I didn’t believe that what America needed was HOPE—what we needed was someone with at least a little bit of intelligence to get in the White House and do what needed to be done. I FIRMLY stood behind Barack, praying that he really would bring the right kind of change to the States.

And so I have to admit that I’m a little let down.

Not that Barack isn’t doing the best he can. Let’s be for real, America was in trouble WAY before he stepped foot in the Oval Office for the first time. And all this economic crisis, housing bubble, bank bailout crap is still taking center stage. He did not create the shitstorm he’s currently wading through.

But still, dammit, I had an AGENDA! I just KNEW that by this point in the presidency we would have glorious universal healthcare, the wars in Iraq and Afganistan would be over – with all the Jews and Christians and Muslims of the world, sitting together singing Kumbaya. I figured at this point we’d (Barack and I) would start dealing with domestic issues like increasing access to public transportation in our largest metro areas, ending homelessness and increasing affordable housing stock, enhancing high speed internet connections in rural areas, fixing public education, letting gays get married, reversing global warming, perfecting the electric car, and maybe, just maybe, walking on water.

Unfortunately, this economic mega-crisis isn’t the only thing that’s stopping Barack’s and my progress. Why? Because America is still a two party system, and the other party (and fake members of our own party) continue to dig their stupid little feet into the mud, and pout and tantrum and not do ANYTHING productive. They pander and pussyfoot and act all mampy-pampy.

And, bless their hearts, the Repulicans , at this point, are just being spiteful and obstinate. I really don’t think that they have issues with the MERIT of some of Obama’s policies, they just say no as the starting point of their negotiations.

And poor Obama, still trying to be bipartisan. I was flipping the channels on the TV the other day and stopped briefly at MSNBC or CNN or something and saw Obama say something to the effect of “Bipartisanship doesn’t mean me giving into what they want all the time, and them giving in to what I want none of the time.” Meh. It’s a good start I guess.

Wanna know what I think?

-F- bipartisanship.  –F the Democrats. –F the Republicans. –F the PACs and Interest Groups. –F the think tanks and policy wonks.  And while I’m at it, –F Congress and f-ing re-election.

A couple of weeks ago I came across the Iron Law of Oligarchy- which basically says that those in power will do whatever is needed to remain in power. I can’t even tell you the number of times I’ve seen this in action during my career, electeds who wuss out and don’t stand up for what’s right just because of the political reality of incumbency.  In DC it’s so much worse, where the stakes are oh so high and the money and power are addictive and intoxicating. Think about all the senators and representatives who have been sitting pretty and all self-important in the houses of Congress for longer than I’ve been born and haven’t accomplished anything useful. If it were up to me, 98% of Congress would be fired.

Policy making along the lines of political ideology, the latest gallup poll, or who’s flashing the biggest wad of money at you is not what’s hot in the streets.

Barack, dear friend that I stood for, campaigning – all day in the cold, wet rain on a lonely day in November – Be the exception to the rule. For the sake of all that is holy, all the newly minted voters that voted, for you, for the first time in their lives, for all the people that gave thanks to God and cried at the end of election night and during your inauguration, and for me, all the times I told some poor schmuck that their vote DOES matter, for all the Americans who you represent, for all the detractors that say you won’t be successful. For all of us, find and use your moral compass. Don’t succumb to the gathering and hoarding of power, don’t listen to the polls or the pundits. Forget about the corporate campaign funders. While we are at it, get rid of all the Clinton pundits on your staff telling you what to do. They are so 90’s anyway.

Barack, you’re a smart guy. I bet you even taught an Ethics class or two when you were an academic. I am confidence that you know right from wrong. Just… do the right thing. Stop worrying about what people will or won’t say. Ignore Fox News.

Make all those new grey hairs on your head worth it. Stop worrying. We trust you to do the right thing. We voted for you, so show us what REAL CHANGE looks like.

Just do the right thing. If that means being a bully to get good policies to pass, do it. If it means alienating folks that you would normally compromise with, do it. If it means calling people out on their asinine-ness, do. Flex your presidential muscle.

We voted for you because we thought you’d do a good job, do the right thing, and make us proud.

Don’t make us look stupid.

When I got to Georgia in mid-June, I decided to go to an employment agency for help finding a job.  Within twenty minutes, he asked me to show him my LinkedIn, which I did.  He, a black man, tsk-tsked and said that I should remove my picture from LinkedIn, Facebook and any other web presence because he didn’t want me to be looked over for a job because I’m black. He continued, “We are still in the south. You can’t be too careful.”

Uhm, excuse me? Does this world still exist? Call me crazy, but I didn’t think that is it would be useful or in my best interest to remove my gorgeous face from the internet. I mean, bottom line—if an employer doesn’t like my looks (for any reason) then that’s likely not a job I want to have.  And I was shocked and appalled to be receiving that piece of advice.

Then I start reading the NYT this morning and there are a series of articles on Prez Obama and whether race is an issue in terms of how he’s been treated during this Health Care debacle. And I think back to all the hateful thinks that I’ve heard and seen this summer during the tea parties that the Republicans have sponsored around the country.  They seem to attack his heritage as much as his policies. It makes me rethink my view of racism in America. Maybe it’s not dead like I thought. So I wonder, when will racism die in America?

Lately, I’ve seen pictures on Obama with defaced with a Hitler-ish mustache (which I think is the stupidest thing ever) and I hear that he’s being compared to Nazis, fascists and other dictators. (Again, these comparisons are illogical. Check your history, jackasses.) What are these protesters and other oppositionists thinking? These pictures just make them look as stupid as they sound.

Do they hate him because they really think that this Administration is being fiscally irresponsible (Seriously, where have this people been hiding for the past 8 years?!?!) Or do they hate him because he’s black?

Even contemplating that question makes me sad.

In MPA school we spend a lot of time talking about public policy and how policy affect public administrators and since my class is a pretty liberal crew we discuss our opinions with each other ad nausem. In this most historic American week of my lifetime, Barack Obama was elected to be our 44^th president (Yay) California banned gay marriage (boo), and in the most boring Public Administration conference ever I learned that America is indeed in a recession and it will probably get worse before it gets better (Argh!!!).

So, today, I will answer 2 questions that I have been asked over and over and over… and one question that I asked on Twitter that no one took the bait on.

1. What do you think about the Obama Victory?

I am super excited that Barack Obama was elected President. Why, you asked?

Because this was the first presidential election that my baby sister has ever voted in (she’s 18), and I wanted her to have a positive experience.

Because lots and lots of people who have never voted before took part in our political system (and the system f-ing worked!!!!)

And not only did he win, he BLUEd up some states. North Carolina, Indiana, Florida, some other midwestern states that I can’t think of!!!! I am so proud of my country right now. America rocks!

Obama (whether you like him or not) inspires people. He has restore hope and optimism to a bunch of cynical, hard-hearted, apolitical Americans and  I hope to see more good people entering politics because of him.

He has restored the WORLD’S faith in America. His election proves that Americans aren’t as stupid as I (and every other country on the planet) thought they were in 2004.

He and Michelle are just so f-ing cool! I really just want to be their friend and chil-lax in the White House having conversations, babysitting the girls and hanging out with the family.

This is the first presidential election that I have ever voted in where the guy that I voted for won.

This is the first election that I think people 18-35 had a candidate that they could truly relate to and believe in. Gens X, Y and millennials actually made a difference. Several of my best friends has been working TIRELESSLY for the Obama campaign and I KNOW that their efforts made the difference.

The election of Obama signifies the end of an era and I am so glad to see it go.

(****notice that none of my reasons have to do with him being a Black man****)

And a follow up: This historical election is one of those things where people ask, “Where were you when Obama got elected?” Here is my answer: When CNN and NBC called the election for Obama, I was at home sharing the experience with the gf (over the telephone). In one moment the news anchors were talking, and then all we heard was screaming.  I was indisposed at the moment (in a unspecified location in my house, ahem) and couldn’t get up to see what the screaming was about. Luckily the gf was able to tell me that Obama had won. I couldn’t believe it. I’m still a little in shock.

2.  What do you think about the passage of California’s Prop 8 that bans gay marriage?

I am so disappointed at California. California has always been a beacon of life to a little lost black girl like me. It also seemed like the one place where all the people who were a little different, a little alternative, and little (or a lot) less normal could go and be accepted and thrive.  I have to rethink California now. And it makes me a little sad.

And I sit and think, how can the country, on the one hand, elect Barack in a landslide and then other the other, (in arguably most liberal state in the country) vote to ban gay marriage. I’m so confused and sad.

I mean, everything happened on the same ballot, so logically it follows that a lot of the people who voted for Obama voted for the ban. Right? What the f*ck is up with that?

Let’s assume for a moment.

Lots of Black people can out to vote for Obama. Could it be that historically oppressed Blacks voted to oppress another segment of society? Have they forgotten that equal and separate is NEVER really equal?  Have they forgotten that it took a coalition of Blacks and whites to affect change for Black people?

Homosexuals need our straight brothers and sisters to stand up for and with us if we are going to emerge from this constant battle of 3 steps forward, 2 steps f-ing back. *Sigh. This just reminds me of why I hate incrementalism.

Of course, I don’t know who actually voted for Prop 8, but lots of people seem to think it was people of color .

3.  Does the bust always follow the boom?

Economically speaking, it sure as hell seems that way. Every time someone explains economic policy, in terms of the current crises and the recession, I see a pattern Boom.Bust.Boom.Bust.Boom.Bust. The little squiggly lines on economic graphs show cycles of good and plenty, followed by deep dark recessions. In my life, I saw the dot com boom and bust and now the housing boom and bust.

For once I’d like things to be on a little flatter line. I think that a flat line would indicate folks having enough money (and nice nest egg savings) without the rampant consumerism that seems to drive the high boom.

Essentially, what goes up must come down.  So, if we never have those super high times, then we don’t have the far to fall.  Hence, no bust.  (this is all in my completely unprofessional non-economic opinion, of course.)

Happy Friday, party people. Be E-Z

Earlier this week I was in the break room having lunch and watching TV (yes, there is a TV in the break room).  CNN was on and they were showing Obama’s speech in Berlin.  Every day this week I have read at least one article or seen one news report about Obama being in the Middle East, or Obama being somewhere and being welcomed with open arms.  On the flip side, I also have been seeing reports about how pissed off McCain has been because the media is acting like a bunch of Obama groupies.  My co-worker and I laughed that Obama is a rock star on world tour and McCain was playing at the local fair.

I am starting to see Obama’s appeal.  He has transcended politics and now he’s just a rock star.  I mean, Bill Clinton was a cool politician, but Obama is just.plain.cool. Obama has swagger.

 I watched this man on TV yesterday, and in my humble opinion, I think we have a winner, boys and girls.   I didn’t jump of the Obama bandwagon after his speech at the Democratic convention a few years ago, I wasn’t really impressed with him during his Senate term, I thought he was alright while he was duking it out with Hilary but I really wasn’t feeling him. Why you ask? Because I’ve refused to believe all the hype.  I kept thinking, “He ain’t all that.  Michelle (his wife) is way cooler, smarter, and prettier than him.”  And all that is true, but I beginning to think that he may be the real deal.  This dude may be all that he’s cracked up to be, and wouldn’t that be amazing?

But back to the Berlin speech; the first five or ten minutes of the speech were amazing, the crowd was wild for him.  Let me tell you, this guy can work a crowd, and the crowd LOVES him.  He wasn’t even in America, and these folks are ready to vote for him.  I think the rest of the world is ready for American to cross the color line, even if we aren’t.  And don’t we deserve a president that won’t be an embarrassment to us around the world?

Obama fanatics are starting to feel bad because he has had to be a politician.  Duh, what did you expect? We all want a liberal utopia, but for now we live in the real world where, sometimes you have to bend your morals and not live up to the ideals of others so that you can get sh*t done.  Don’t be mad; understand that he’s not perfect.  I don’t think that perfection could handle DC and I don’t think that Americans would even vote for perfection.  We want/need someone in DC that shares our values and ideals, is smart enough to think in terms of cause and effect, and understands how the world works and won’t wimp out when tough decisions must be made.  And I think Obama may be the Rock Star that we need. And it doesn’t hurt that he can use a f*cking computer.

(But I still think that John Edwards would have made a good president too)