Notes on Obama's Speech

First of all, I would like to offer my congratulations to finally-president Barack Obama for a successful inauguration (despite the Chief Justice's mix-up). I'd also like to say I am very thankful for the job that security did in preventing any disturbances during the ceremony, as I must admit I was a bit nervous during the proceedings.

I'd just like to talk a bit about a few details of Obama's inauguration speech, and add a few bits of personal commentary on them. Please feel free to respond with your own thoughts.

Early in his speech, Obama said that Americans have “a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.” Yet I can't help but think that our its decline is inevitable. No, we aren't going to be destroyed in a war or a giant depression, but there is not way that we are going to remain the sole superpower and deciding force in global politics for long. The best way I have heard it explained is that America is not falling, but many other nations are rising, causing a more level playing field. I think this is a positive development in American attitudes, just as teenagers eventually learn that they are not invincible and begin to live a bit more responsibly. We as a nation have to realize that we are not the only country on earth with power, and that if we do not act responsibly there will be resentment on the part of others. I agree with Obama's assertion that we must not lower our sights for the future, but would like to add that a bit of humility on the part of America would be a positive change.

Later on, Obama said, “The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works.” Some may see this as an excuse to have a big, overbearing government, but I see it as a truth. The government is designed to serve the interests of the people, and the people want results. I really don't care if we downsize government or expand it, as long as positive change is made. The rhetoric of Reagan about government being the problem rather than the solution is no longer valid in today's world, and conservatives and liberals alike must realize that we should worry more about application than theory in our current situation.

I loved one line of Obama's in particular: “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers.” It feels good to know that the new president does not view America as an essentially Christian nation, and that he wants to include everyone, even nonbelievers (even though he said “God bless the United States of America” at the end of his speech, but he would be trashed by conservatives if he didn't). This is just a small representation of Obama's worldview that will guide this nation's domestic policies in the right direction, towards tolerance and compromise.

The only problem I had with his message was, “We will not apologize for our way of life nor will we waver in its defense.” This sounded a bit like Bush to me, taking an aggressive stance on foreign affairs and placing all of the blame on our enemies. Of course, it is wrong to kill innocents in attacks. Yet there is a history of the West taking advantage of Middle Eastern countries for centuries that we cannot ignore, and we cannot avoid all of the blame. Obama's messages of humility and peace, while being conscious of how we use the world's resources, gives me hope in this area, that perhaps we won't continue being so domineering on the world stage. But the most I can do is wait and see.

I'd just like to finish off by saying that Obama made a wonderful speech, as usual, and that he is already working hard as President and fulfilling many campaign promises. I wish him the best of luck, as it must be extremely difficult for the world to have such high hopes for your presidency, and we definitely do.