A strange occurrence befell me on my quadrennial Pilgrimage to the Polls. As is custom, I was on my way with the rest of the Bewildered Herd to witness the anointment of either Tweedledum or Tweedledee as the Lesser of Two Evils. . . and then be blessed before returning to graze in the pasture. The sacred American Way of Life would be safe in the hands of Those Greater Than I for another four years, and I could go back to dreaming that I had played some small but significant role in the Drama of Democracy.
It was then that I was distracted by an unfamiliar sound. I stubbed my toe. I paused, cursing a bit. I heard the sound again. Nearly lost in the murmuring of the Herd, someone was trying to get my attention. Someone strange. Hussein Osama or something like that. I decided to ignore him. I was needed at the Polls.
But the Stranger wouldn't quit. He kept saying that we didn't have to be Bewildered. That we didn't have to be a Herd. . . That it wasn't stupid or naïve to believe that things that should be actually could be. I was getting uncomfortable. I'd been down that path before. I'd been disappointed before, even deceived. Then I noticed that more and more were breaking away from the Bewildered Herd to listen to this message. Some even spoke of Hope!
The shepherds and guard dogs in charge took notice. Something was amiss! And as is their custom, they attacked in order to restore calm. The guard dogs barked viciously at the Stranger, trying to drown him out. The shepherds ridiculed those listening to the Stranger as deranged, deluded or downright dumb. The message was clear: This was Tweedledum's (or was it Tweedledee's?) Party, and the Stranger had better shut up if he knew what was good for him. It was in everyone's best interests if the Bewildered Herd stayed that way.
So here we are. There is no “proof” that the Stranger can accomplish what he says or even if he truly intends to (as his detractors often charge). But is that really the point? What he has said is that we don't have to set our sights so low, that we don't have to accept the measly choices set before us, that we don't have to settle for the Lesser of Two Evils. What follows after is up to us.
That, I can believe in.
Posted by Richard at March 7, 2008 11:17 AMWecome back Richard!
Your post brings the focus back to where it should be, for when all is said and done, this election IS about the soul and spirit of a nation. That's the strength of Obama's campaign, as well its threat to a souless system. That's why so many millions of Americans are gravitating toward him. But as you know, the hellhounds (many in sheep's clothing) are circling their prey. Can he withstand their attacks without resorting to the same tactics? He'll make it as long as he can stay above the frey, but if he relents and starts to fight back in kind, they'll swallow him up. That's a real danger. One that can't be underestimated.
Unfortunately, many people still see it as a strength to be vicious and fight dirty, especially in politics. If he can show them that mendacity can be overcome with magnanimity, that goodness is more powerful than evil, then he'll have the victory and we'll have the change we need and so ardently hope for. It will take enormous discipline on his part, and a profound trust in the power of goodness. Let's hope he's got what it takes to stay the course he set at the beginning of his campaign, and never waiver from it.