Yesterday was a memorable, historic day. Waking up today was like waking up to a whole new reality, one I feared we would never see. But before we get ahead of ourselves, we need a strong reality check. There are a number of things Barack Obama cannot do.
First diary - any recommendations/suggestions entirely welcome. I just started lurking here a few months ago.
Barack Obama cannot cure cancer.
He can work to expand health coverage for all Americans, and put in place a health care system so everyone, including those with cancer, can get the treatment they need.
Barack Obama cannot make you rich.
He can take the first steps towards lifting the US out of its current economic misery. Credit markets are still frozen, and Wall Street is schizophrenic, because nobody can accurately price the billions of dollars worth of existing contracts, mortgages, swaps, and other financial instruments. A combination of federal assurance and new regulations can restore the rules of the game and provide a measure of certainty that will restore the one thing we have lost the most of in terms of financial markets: confidence.
Barack Obama cannot guarantee you a job.
He can lead the fight for a new stimulus package, that actually invests in infrastructure and other projects, that will help create jobs.
Barack Obama cannot bring about world peace.
He can take the first steps towards strengthening our alliances and establishing a new international position for the US, building on the good will generated by his election and the repudiation, finally, of the Bush foreign policy. We had one chance after 9/11 to build international alliances against terrorism and non-state actors, which we squandered. Obama's election offers a second chance to re-enter the international arena with a new message and a new respect for the countries with whom we should make common cause on any number of issues.
Barack Obama cannot end racism.
He can demonstrate, to the prejudiced, that the content of his character and his ability to perform in the most difficult job in the world, are equal to or greater than anything we have seen in my lifetime. He can be a role model and a symbol, not for the politics of victimization, but for the most basic human belief in hope.
Barack Obama cannot end global warming.
He can push for federal investment in new energy technologies, a cap and trade system, and tax incentives for clean fuels and energy sources, as well as stronger international agreements to combat climate change.
I'm sure there a number of other things he cannot do.