A Planet Or A Universe?

A Planet Or A Universe?  The government of our country is locked inside of an ever-escalating cycle of partisan gamesmanship.  As many have noted, this has served to render our government ineffectual, sophomoric, and on occasion, utterly ridiculous.  Both parties have contributed to this devolution in democracy and neither shows any sign of putting forth an individual leader capable of rising above it.  It would seem we are doomed to this cycle of petty politics, self aggrandizing, and constant finger pointing.  This is not a new phenomenon; it has been coming on for awhile.  But I think I know what, at least a partial, solution might look like.  Try William Jefferson Clinton and Newt Gingrich.

It is hard to conceive of any person aspiring to the presidency without an abundance (excess?) of ego.  As a matter of fact, it is likely a necessary ingredient for success, as long as it is managed.  Bill Clinton began his first term as president with similar visions to Obama, although presented more modestly.  Rather than boast about slowing the rise of the oceans and healing the planet, Clinton and Gore simply rode in to the sound of Fleetwood Mac promising a new age of prosperity.  Think what you will of Mr. Clinton; the fact is that he delivered.  But that delivery of promises came after he was humbled by a devastating defeat in mid-term elections.  Following that epiphany, Clinton came to the realization that his light could still burn bright, but did not necessarily have to be the only light in the sky.  He saw that he could be a planet, while not being the entire universe.  He began to appreciate that good government must first and foremost function.   He still gave his ego free reign, but he consciously understood that the folks in the Senate and the House also had egos and there had to be room for others in the solar system.  While ensuring that his was the most brilliant and most watched, he accepted the fact that other planets would co-exist.  This embrace of reality and pragmatism made possible some extraordinary accomplishments in government, not the least among them a balanced budget.  It created the possibility for remarkable achievements by a flawed president who, in spite of his destructive appetites, managed to become an effective and accomplished chief executive.

And this is where we find the distinction between a past Democrat and a current Democrat.  Obama is not willing to share the sky with any other planets.  Obama is not willing to orbit, either alone or in partnership, with any other bodies.  The epicenter of all being must begin and end with the One, and he is the One.  Obama is not willing to accept the role of a planet; he must be the universe. 

At this point in his presidency (one year into his second and final term), it is hard to see any prospect that Obama will experience any epiphany similar to Clinton’s.  And even though there are without a doubt many Senators and Representatives of both parties who see themselves as a universe also, the fact is that only the President can lead this government back to a place where it actually works; to some semblance of effective and efficient administration of our nation’s business.  As much as I would like to begin 2014 with some degree of optimism, I fear we are in the throes of a tedious and partisan game that will last another three years.  We are in the Obama universe and there is no room for any other planets.