Only One Year

Very seldom does the true legacy of a president show up in the first year. I would say this would be especially true of a president facing truly divisive issues and trying to overcome years of highly partisan debate.

Today is the beginning of year two for President Obama. The world has not changed as much as many of his supporters hoped. Nor has it changed as much as his opponents claim. He is no more- and no less- a politician than his predecessors. He is no less- or no more- a savior of the nation than any president. He is neither a monster or a saint. He is a human being.

Sure. I am one of those disappointed- though not surprised- at his first year. I believe that our nation will continue to show its strength in working through the next few years. Yes, Democrats may lose seats- or they may win them- in this year's elections. The vote in Massachusetts may kill the health care reform.

In other words- politics.

But perhaps, somewhere along the line in these next few years the extreme voices at either end of the spectrum (which at times may include my own voice) may temper their rhetoric and move from ideology to community. Hatred and division like we have seen this past year will not build a strong country. It will only undermine the power that "we the people" have.

So, Mr. President- Happy One Year Anniversary. Keep on doing what you think this country needs. Bring us along. Move us.