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History In The Making

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2009

By the time the next edition of In The Loop hits the streets, America will have a new president. Barack Hussein Obama will be sworn in as the 44th commander in chief Jan. 20.

Obama's inauguration will go down in history for a number of reasons - not the least of which is the fact he happens to be the country's first black in the Oval Office. Race aside, Obama is inheriting a country that is in a lot of trouble. The moves he and Congress make over the next four years will have a profound impact not only on the immediate future, but on the very face of America for years and perhaps even decades to come.

Take a look at the issues Obama must tackle and it becomes clear that perhaps no other president in the brief history of the United States has dealt with so much on a single plate. At home, we as a country are facing an economic collapse the likes of which has not been seen since the Depression. This, however, is just the tip of the iceberg. We also face such concerns as border control problems, skyrocketing unemployment, ineffective educational systems, environmental issues, crime, poverty, homelessness - the list literally goes on and on. Add to this a national deficit that is likely to remain in the trillion dollar range for quite some time and a national debt that tops $10 trillion and there is little doubt that America is in for quite a rough ride.

Now, take a look at the international picture and the difficulties the next four years might hold become even more troubling. Obama is inheriting a two-front war, international tensions that are ever growing in regions beyond the Middle East and a world that is also facing economic collapse.

Nothing about the upcoming term is likely to be easy for Obama, Congress and very likely any of us. Now, however, is not the time for us to roll over and play dead. It is time for everyday, average Americans to stand up and let the silent majority be heard.

With bailout after bailout rolling out faster than any of us can blink an eye and more government controls over the economy, industry and our freedoms likely coming our way this is not a time to let the folks in Washington go it alone. We need to remember that the decisions being made today, tomorrow and in the future are those that will influence the course of our country and our very lives for a long time to come.

No matter where you stand on the issues, it's time to let Obama and the men and women we have elected to Congress know that we the people (their actual bosses) are watching, we are engaged and we want a say in what happens. Doing so isn't as tough as it might sound either. Just pay attention to the issues, read the news, follow the Congressional votes and, by all means, call or write your elected representatives when you want to have a say on a topic. Believe it or not, some of them actually do pay attention to the phone calls, e-mails and letters they receive. You may only have one voice, but it might join a chorus.

It is my sincere hope that Obama manages to work miracles over the next four years and goes down in history as the best president this country has ever had. Without our input, however, any miracles accomplished just might be ones we never wanted.

We have a right and an obligation to get involved and help shape our history. If we leave it to Washington, we're likely to get more of the same.

Sherri Lonon is the editor of In The Loop.

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