I have listened to several people talk about the damage George W. Bush has done with the image of America overseas. I must confess that I regarded these comments without giving much weight to the implications.
Since becoming president, Bush had become such a familiar punch line for comedians and political pundits, I didn't take anything relating to him serious. To me, Bush was like the alcoholic uncle in your family who flies in for a wedding or a funeral and embarrasses everyone with his obnoxious antics and ridiculous rhetoric. When he does something stupid, you shake your head, laugh, and try to wish him away from reality.
I have never been particularly interested in politics. I am part of that so-called "clueless" young generation of hip-hoppers who considered all politicians crooks in suits. I had seen enough of them promise the moon to spirited voters during campaigns and then blatantly ignore those promises once elected. Politicians were like used car salesmen to me--you search around for the one who seems to lie to you the least; all the while understanding you will likely get screwed no matter who you voted for. Hence, I rarely voted.
This all changed a few weeks ago. I watched a speech online by Senator Obama where he argued the need for an American president to negotiate with both our friends and our enemies in other countries. He made it seem so decidedly practical, I wanted to say "Duh!" Common sense told me that brokering peace or even progress with any nation required a proactive and engaging dialog. Senator Obama went on to argue that the Bush/Cheney doctrine had eroded the image of United States abroad. This inspired me to hop online, do a quick Google search, and find out what other nations thought of America and Senator Obama.
By chance, the very first thing I happened upon was an article entitled, Where is our Obama? by Yossi Sarid. Reading the article brought a chill down my spine. It was as if my dying, political spirit had been resuscitated. For the first time in my adult life, I was really proud to be an American.
When the Yossi Sarid wrote, "Can we in Israel also expect to see the end of an era, ushering in new blood?" it made me understand just how powerful my country is and how other countries look to us for leadership and moral guidance. I had undoubtedly heard this idea before in countless rhetoric and writings, but it had never really resonated with me before. I never fully understood the responsibility of being an American until I stumbled upon the vivid hopes and dreams of voices outside America.
Yossi Sarid's words made me appreciate Senator Obama as more than just a politician handing out the usual used car salesman pitches. Instead, I now saw Senator Obama as an agent of change, as the living representation of a new era of politics.
Yossi Sarid wrote:
The enthusiasm will be hard to curb. Barack Obama will attract mass rallies, riding high on predominantly young shoulders and record voter turnout. Obama has already proved he is able to win in the East, West, North and South and in both Republican and Democratic states.
Black and white Americans alike vote for him, both women and men, Hispanics and even many Jews. They vote for him even though the ambassadors of evil frown at him, as if he were not really good for the Jews.
The candidate should know he has supporters here as well. It's okay to be friends with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and to help him with his public image, but it's more important to befriend Israel as a whole.
To be honest, I have no idea who Yossi Sarid is, nor do i have any knowledge as to what political stance Haaretz.com has in Israel. I am merely a "clueless" young man who found these words to be inspiring.
Yossi wrote:
Americans are tired of those who don disguises, the reborn who try to reissue themselves and who emerge from the PR machine with face transplants.
When America chooses to rediscover itself, it picks candidates who don their true colors. When will we drop the chameleons from our menu? Where is our Obama?
Thank you Yossi. Thank you Senator Obama. I understand now what it means to not only have a leader who inspires the nation, but also the world. I have contributed 50 dollars to Senator Barack Obama's campaign. I have given them my email to sign up as a volunteer in any way I can. I have rallied my friends together to do the same. The George Bush embarrassment is about to be over. And for the first time in our adult lives my friends and I feel inspired to help our fellow Americans usher in a new era for this country. We will dedicate ourselves to this mission. But not only because we see Senator Obama as a representative of hope and change for America. But also, because we hear the voices of people all over the world who see Senator Obama as the beginning of a new era. I am really proud to be apart of it.