I couldn't help but use the Bon Jovi (much to the chagrin of Jon I am sure) song title to offer as a tribute to someone who (for so many) has disappointed a public who voted for a change in 2008. Let's look at what the definition of hope is. There are a few definitions, but they mostly resemble a similar meaning. First, there's "To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment." or secondly, "To look forward to with confidence or expectation." What a difference a year makes.
When President Obama came into office things were not looking so good. There were the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, an economy supposedly teetering on "depression era" numbers, and a pervasive mood that all was not well in America, direction wise. All foreign and domestic issues aside, there was an idea with which this man approached his newfound position and power. There was talk of new relations with foreign countries. There was the promise that all people deserve health care. There were ideas floating around that the education system needed a serious makeover, etc. Despite all the bad news there was an opportunity for President Obama to really take a leadership stance, follow through on his slogan, and to capture the hearts of even those who did not vote for him, unfortunately, I believe, he missed a golden opportunity. Throughout his campaign he talked of hope, so much so, it became the new word of 2009. In fact, I hear it so much it now sounds like the old fingernail screeching the blackboard. Yeesh!
When I hear the word hope I think about my faith; the promise of something to come, that expectation of fulfillment. We can argue faith all day long, suffice to say, I am a believer, and I have (I have now changed the word from hope to) ambitions for my faith and my direction. Mr. President, you give hope a bad name. He took a sacred word and turned it into a campaign slogan. That may have been a clever phrase, but oh how it has diminished the value of the word. It's kind of like the word gentlemen. Back during the Renaissance period in England, one would have to apply for the title of "gentlemen", it meant that much. Now we throw it around like a worn out baseball. I figure the same fate awaits the word hope, and how sad that is to consider, especially what that word means in the world of faith, and that's what hurts most.
He took this sacred word and used it like it was an ordinary word rather than an extraordinary one. Most people nowadays look at words as disposals for their dialog or ramblings, and oftentimes we do not consider the effect they have. For instance, "shut up!" now that as opposed to, "be quiet!" doesn't seem like much of a difference, but to the receiver of those phrases he/she evaluates their meanings quite clearly. My point, the Obama campaign took a most sacred word and used it as a catch phrase and to me diminished the value and meaning of it.
So I ask you the reader, when you think of the word 'hope' and you place it side by side with Obama, do you get a sensation of exhilaration? Do you experience a tingling up your leg? Do you see results? Remember, the word hope is about expectation of fulfillment. So, when we look at back door payoffs, money flying out of Congress like it's floating in the wind, bail outs of every kind, gifts to friends for political backing and ear marks, strict partisanship, and a refusal to listen to the American people, I ask, is that hope? Is that your expectation to fulfillment? Look, don't get me wrong, critics will say, "Republicans are just as guilty of this as the Democrats, and Obama." That is true, and speaking of a word that has been diminished, politician has been downgraded to just above scum, so I don't disagree with you on the above, it's just that you don't hear the Republicans use the word hope as a campaign mantra; one where you sweep across the country with an expectation of fulfillment, but only deliver the same old, same old. I would argue that my God will not offer the same old, same old. There will be a fulfillment beyond my expectations. I am certainly "hopeful" of that.
