The American Reformation

"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task." - Barack Obama, January 20, 2009

These words reflect Mr. Obama's vision of the United States of America as it was, is and will be. They also reflect his conviction, made quite evident in the last 100 days or so, to ensure that his vision is fulfilled. I recently heard one very eminent and distinguished public servant, soon to retire, remark that he was amazed at the president's analysis and understanding of even relatively minor financial issues, given his hectic and diverse schedule. The man wondered when Obama had time to be briefed!

I convey this not because I wish to heap more praise onto our president, but to justify my relief that the commander in chief finally has a sensible view of the world! What's more, this view is necessary, in my opinion, if Obama is to preside over what history may look upon as the American Reformation of the 21st Century. By American Reformation, I don't mean anything having to do with religion; in fact, this period is one in which religion will hopefully play a much smaller role than it has in critical historical eras past.

Rather, I refer quite literally to the reforming of the United States - mainly governmentally, in the concrete sense - but also, gradually and less radically, beyond that, into the broader political and social and cultural realms that define the nation. This may sound unlikely, but please consider the following:

1. The main opposition to political and social reform in the United States, by and large, is the Republican Party. The Republican Party has currently flat-lined. They are about to lose their last major check on Congressional Dems when Specter switches, and with it their last toehold on political power and relevancy. They are leaderless. They offer no meaningful opposition or input, that I can tell, regarding Obama's political plans, which are quite ambitious.

Perhaps most damning, they know they have lost the trust of many, many people - in fact, beyond their 64% congressional disapproval rating, the Republican name has obviously been tarnished in itself, as the Washington Post reports that only 21% will self-identify as Republicans, while 38% opted for Independent and 35% Democrat. The point is, there is no check to balance out Obama and Co. in their drive toward reform.

2. The collective brainstorming has begun. In fact, I'd say it had begun long before G.W. hit the old dusty trail back down to Texas. Obviously, in the areas of health care, energy and education - the Prez's big three priorities besides saving the economy/winning two wars - people are getting excited. My previous post highlighted educational reform ideas that are starting to gain traction. Here's another remarkable idea from Mark Taylor concerning graduate education.

But beyond those issues, politicians and plain old, right-thinking Americans are keen to do what they do best: discuss and improve. Even issues as obscure as defense acquisition reform (actually quite important, considering the monstrosity that is the DOD budget) are heating up. Basically, attach reform to any normal political issue and you've got the issues of today, the post-Bush, post-Reagan, post-Cold War, post-20th century America.

3. The kids are our future. Yep, although it's somewhat frightening even to me, the pace of retirement is picking up and our nation is aging, meaning the next generation of statesmen and CEOs and scientists needs to step up at an increasing pace. The steady hand of the baby boomers on the levers of power in this country has already begun to relax its hold, if the current administration is any indication, meaning some silly, archaic policies, like blanket prohibition of cannabis, will no doubt finally be ushered out the door as well. Youth are also, I'm told, not afraid of radical political change; in fact, they often seem to embrace it.

But with great power comes great responsibility, and the demands placed upon the next generation, the challenges we must face if we are to fulfill our highest national potential, are obviously complex and varied. They will require vigilance both domestically and abroad (something Americans haven't been good at, in the past) as well as careful forethought and consideration. The capacity of this generation to meet these challenges remains the one major question mark regarding this coming period of flux, in my mind; despite the campaign slogan, I still wonder, can we? Will we?

Taken together, these factors seem to set the stage for a period of serious, intense reform and reshaping of at least the governmental and political aspects of America, if not some of the social and cultural as well. But this is why I write. I don't want the American Reformation to take place without Americans being involved. Organically, demographically, socially, politically, the nation will change and evolve on its own, but if the consciousness of the American public, at least in some part, can be actively directed toward and engaged and attentive to that evolution, I think that we'll end up with a much, much more durable and satisfactory result - an America that can look eagerly forward to the benefits of the future, rather than one that must instead anxiously and intently focus on the obstacles and difficulties that lie so clearly ahead. I guess what I'm saying, overall, is pay attention and get to work, America, because your future is now, and you can't afford to miss it.

Non-Weed-Related Roundup

Happy 420! But just to be contrary, here's what else is up, besides national support for the end to blanket federal cannabis prohibition:

Item 1: Walter Isaacson, who comes off to me as quite a smart man, penned this solid op-ed piece on American education for Time Magazine. As a recent product of the American educational system through college at a top-tier institution, I can attest to the fact that the lack of actual learning and skills-gaining by students in our schools is apalling and frightening.

I just spent four years at one of the nation's best universities, and let me tell you, those four years were a hell of a lot easier than the four that I spent at a small, private high school in Florida - not a state renowned for educational rigor. Is that how it's supposed to be? Each student more or less gets the basics and then the advantaged ones party through college and make "connections" while the rest struggle to catch up, keep up, and then be competitive when the job interviews come around? Is that what keeps America competitive - the strength of her students' connections? I think not.

In fact, tangentially, the whole importance of personal connections in our economy both fascinates and disgusts me. Sure, there's no problem with getting your brother's girlfriend's sister some low-level internship or some job that doesn't really require special thought or skill (especially when said person possesses very little special thought or skill), but honestly, when important jobs start getting handed out on the basis of "connections," harm is done not only to the specific candidates and company involved, but to the country on a broader level.

Just look at the Bush administration - how many inept, incompetent people were on the government payroll over the course of the last eight years because they had worked on Bush's campaign or because they knew some Republican power-broker? How did that work out? Take even a quick glance at Wall Street firms right now (and as someone familiar with a good many brand new business school grads, I can say this with confidence) and I bet you'll notice a distinct air of what-the-hell-are-we-doing-my-dad-got-me-this-job-and-told-me-it-would-be-easy-ness. In other words, connections should not be the sort of automatic job-getter they are in way too many industries and important companies these days.

But I digress. Isaacson's call for national education standards is much-needed and long-delayed. And you know it's serious if the president of the nation's biggest teacher's union, one Ms. Randi Weingarten, is openly and loudly agreeing with him. As the prez sez, this is a key priority for our country. Do what you can to make it happen.

Item 2: Finally, the other side of the piracy story is coming out. Before touching on that, let me just say that the mainstream media's infatuation with piracy is ridiculous. I should not have all my major news outlets focusing on one fucking boat captain and his exploits against a motley crew of Somalians. I mean, that was probably the most interesting part of this whole running meme, and it's still not news! Take a look at the relative statistics, people - piracy accounts for less than one percent of ANYTHING.

It's a completely insignificant proportion of overall international trade that gets disrupted. Well, it's only significant to the commercial fishermen who raid Somalia's wide open, plentiful waters and the Europeans who routinely ship toxic, nuclear waste down there and offer it up (down?) to Davy Jones. On the brighter side, maybe this sad fact will actually get some airtime now that the issue is being examined in somewhat more thorough and adult ways. I do have to give credit to Johann Hari, who brought up the unmentioned side of this story even in its infancy (on the blogosphere, of course). I mean, MSM, if you're going to waste time examining this issue on the national news, at least do it journalistic justice and spend five seconds explaining that the pirates have a purpose and a grievance and a history - maybe do that instead of whatever lame-ass piracy joke you had planned?

Item 3: Happy 420! Oh, did I, like, say that already or something?