Why Inauguration Day is a Good Day

 His words speak of peace and vision. Of building international unity and working toward a just and sustainable society for all of earth’s inhabitants. Of tolerance and understanding. Of addressing in a comprehensive and visionary manner the problems that face all Americans. Of the role of government in helping the disenfranchised, poor, and less fortunate. Of responsible economic and environmental policy…

But wait! (the sound of a record needle screeching over vinyl as the dream suddenly pops into reality, as is the customary sound effect for WAKE UP!).

It’s cold – bitter cold – and gray. The town is locked down tight, as it’s never been before. Perhaps it’s because the leader is one of the most unpopular and hated the world has ever seen. His words ring hollow and the prospect of a continuing war, an economic abyss, state-sanctioned intolerance, and an environmental policy that dooms his own children and grandchildren to a depleted and increasingly unforgiving earth loom large. Even as he and those whom have bestowed their blessing on this man spend tens of millions to celebrate their grip on power. It seems that this gray, bitterly cold day should be a sad one.

But perhaps, in the overall scheme of things, it is a good day. Perhaps it is the best we can hope for. Over two centuries ago, another man named George put his hand on a bible and pledged to honor and defend what was then merely the flowering of an idea – the United States of America. It was all very tentative back then. A generation of visionary thinkers formed the basis of a nation, even then steeped in conflict, duplicity, and looming crisis. They knew that this newly hatched idea of a government would have to forestall certain issues for another generation, or there would be no hope for its survival. And sixty or seventy years later the issue of slavery did almost tear the country in two. But through visionary leadership based on the highest political ideals yet devised, the nation was badly wounded, but survived.

If we can survive a civil war, I believe we can survive George Bush. The authors of the Constitution knew first hand the tendencies of power. To corrupt, to pool toward the bottom of Man’s nobility, to bring out the worst.

So in four years George Bush will step down from power and another man will take his place. We have those four years to work toward insuring that, while we may be wounded, we will survive and continue to strive toward the vision spelled out centuries ago. We may never really get there, arrive at that “more perfect union”, but every four years we have the opportunity to renew the endeavor. To pay attention to what has gone before, and to think about fighting the good fight.

That’s why inauguration day is a good day.  

-tds

February 20, 2005