Inaugural Reflection

It's the day after the Presidential Inauguration and my post inaugural blues are kicking in. This year is especially brutual because I'm on maternity leave and I've been pretty much housebound for the better part of the winter. So you can imagine that the pageantry, pomp and circumstance of the event (though less stately than inaugurals past) meant a lot to this stay at home mom/wanna-be-first-lady. What a vision Michelle was, with her new bangs and faux lashes. I have to admit, I was a bit envious. What woman wouldn't be? All eyes on her, a model for the entire world. What it must be like knowing that whatever you (or your children) wear influences women's fashion across the country, and that the dress she wears to a ball will be immortalized in a museum. Not to mention her regular clothes increase in value as soon as she takes them off. Not to mention that as the first Black First Lady she has already made her mark in the world and secured a prominent place for herself and her family in history for posterity. As I sit home caring for my newborn twins and watching the Obama family basking in their famous glory, I wish my father were still alive. Not only to witness the first African American president sworn in for his second term-but to share the sentiment with his grandsons. I know he would tell Zachary and Noah that they were on the road to glory as well he would point to the president and his family as an example of what a strong Black family looks like. Obama reminds me of my dad; stern and doting father, his girls remind me of myself and my sister. They are well behaved and disciplined. I can tell that the girls are probably whipped into shape with just one look from president dad. My dad could have been president, he sure was the smartest armchair politician I know. Even though I do believe that most inaugural speeches as rhetoric, they are nice to hear and the event is a beautiful sight to behold. Democracy is an incredible thing. It is quite inspiriting to see thousands of Obama's supporters and Americans who celebrate democracy and the hope and promise that is America. Awww well, after the inaugural events it's back to politics as usual and, if we can garner anything from Obama's speech besides it's progressive agenda, it is that he is older,(with the gray hair to prove it) wiser, and much more agressive. For the past four years it did seem as though compromise was a dirty word when it came to President Obama's approach to working with republicans in Congress. When Obama came to office, it was his goal to change the toxic partisan political culture in Washington. He wanted to "reach across the aisle" to grasp hands and get the job done! His first inaugural address was (much longer) and conciliatory; this time he has his fists up and he was ready to fight, much to the chagrin of Republicans like John McCain who claim he is no longer trying to reach across the aisle-but why should he when his hand keeps getting slapped? Yes, President Obama came out swinging with his not-so subtle-digs at the right. He insisted that Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security allow "Americans to take the risks that make this country great," it does not make them a nation of "takers." He also defended the the middle class, who bear the brunt of this nation's prosperity, and spoke about the fact that we still have a way to go on civil rights. We haven't achieved equality until all our "gay brothers and sisters" share the rights of every American to marry. In addition to infuriating Republicans, he set an historical precedent as the first American president to use the word "gay" in an inaugural speech. I'm sure he won even more Republicans over with his idea that we can achieve peace without perpetual war. He spoke confidently as a man who seeks to move the country center left politically the way that President Ronald Reagan moved it center right in the eighties with Reaganomics. Ironically, Obama's presidency and style are comparable to Reagan, although the outcomes of their plans are antithetical, with Reaganites claiming that Reagan's recovery created jobs and a strong economy, while Obama's recovery has been abysmal. What can we expect in the next four years? according to Obama's Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, he is planning to spend more time touring the country in an attempt to connect with the American people and make himself more accountable to those who put him in office. Republicans disapprove of course; they think he spends too much time campaigning and not enough time governing,as was their complaint when he was on every talk-show from Letterman to Meet the Press selling the Affordable Care Act during his first four years. As one who enjoys the bloodsport that is American politics, I will be looking forward to the next four years, with the first two issues being particularly bloody: the confirmation of Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense and bloodier still, Gun Control. T expect Obama to triumph this time and create his legacy this term. After all, he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Let the games begin!