A New Day Dawns in America

”On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

…In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned.”

Barack H. Obama
President of the United States of America

Tuesday January 20, 2009 Barack H. Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. With millions of people watching around the world President Obama called on people across the nation and around the world to come together to form a new humanity united in a purpose of peace and prosperity. He called upon our better angels to work for unity and to put aside the hatreds and bigotries of the past so that we can all be better for it. Unequivocally rejecting ideas of the past that people must give up our freedoms for the security of our nation President Obama gave notice that this new administration will not give way to the politics of fear and division.

In a message directed to other world leaders President Obama made it clear that his plans include a willingness to talk to both friends and enemies of the past to find solutions to the world’s problems and bring peace and prosperity to the entire world. Though the speech was only eighteen minutes it carried strong messages of change and a rejection of failed ideas of the past. As Dr. Phil might say “How’s that been working for you?” might be best seen as one of the central themes of President Obama’s speech. Clearly rejecting many of the central themes of the Bush administration Obama vowed to take our nation in a new direction including international policies that put diplomacy ahead of military action.

For the people of America President Obama spoke of much hard work ahead and the need for all of us to get actively involved in the rebuilding of our nation. Recognizing that our economic crisis requires swift and decisive action, he called on Americans to take charge of rebuilding our nation and to put aside our apathy in favor of activism. We are no less able to produce or come up with new ideas than we had been prior to the collapse of our economy. We can find solutions to the problems and must be the ones who ultimately drive the change our nation needs. Our government is a tool to solve problems but not the savior of all lost causes. We the people must take an active role in our prosperity and well being. We hold the keys to our own success in our hands and only if we choose to pick up those keys and use them will we find lasting prosperity.

A new day has dawned in America with a new sense of hope in the vast majority of her people. Now comes the time to begin the work needed to fulfill that hope. Hope can only become change if those who hope make the effort to bring the change. President Barack Obama is the face of our hope and the leader for our change but he cannot do it without our work and dedication. We must do our part to bring the change our nation needs. We must take the time to stay informed about the events of the world and we must tell our leaders when they do those things not in line with the change we need. We must answer the call to help others as we would want their help if we were in need. We must be the instruments of our own revival. We have put the leadership in place to bring about the conditions for change but we the people must do our part to help them succeed.

Click here for full text of inaugural address.