A New Drug- Side Effects Unknown
Five days ago some friends and I were in a car in Mumbai listening to a song called "Yes We Can". It s a song that consists of excerpts from Barrack Obama's speeches remixed with a catchy beat. The five of us in the car were ten thousand miles away from the man who spoke the words being used, we are probably not going to be directly impacted by 95% of the things he does during his term and yet we were all pretty inspired. As I understand, this new phenomenon is called Obamania. It is a feel good drug that inspires hopes, a need for change and a better futures. You can find it for free on YouTube, CNN or pretty much anywhere you look these days. It has had a remarkable impact worldwide and is ready to reveal its true power
I must confess, I too am a little addicted to Obamania. I mean, how could you not be? Everybody is doing it, the Americans, the Europeans; even our Prime Minister had a taste of it. And when you have had a taste, you can't wait for your next fix. It works amazingly too, as soon as you try it, or a part of it, you get to hang out with the cool crowd, you are considered an intellect and people think you are worldly and knowledgeable. It is an instant way to show are evolved you really are.
I am really interested in knowing the long-term impact of this drug though. Not many people seem to concerned about the long-term which worries me. Is the drug going to deliver on what it is supposed to? Or will it become just another medication that when used too often, we become immune to? There was a drug like this in the 60's called Kennedy. It was really promising too, but a tragic incident in Dallas in 1963 put an end to that phenomenon. Nobody really studied the long-term impact of that drug, or if they did, it was not politically correct to talk negatively about it in public. People were so enamored by the short-term, immediate feel good factors that no one really cared to see if the drug did really benefit anyone as it had promised. Even today, Kennedy remains etched in everyone's mind.
Kennedy did have some side effects that the world new about. It had the Bay of Pigs disaster, an economic policy that people say caused the crisis in the 70's and even questionable character flaws that involved extra marital affairs. On the plus side it had the Nuclear Test Ban Treat, the Cuban missile crisis and a great speech in Berlin. Though on the whole, and I may be chastised for saying this, the mania never lived up to all it promised. The feel good factor of course remained and always will, but that was it.
Obamania has an even tougher task at hand. The economy is in shambles, the country is at war and the world hates America. In addition Kennedy did not have to deal with the 24 hour news and the Internet with its blogs, political website and YouTube. Every side effect of Obamania will be there for the world to see in the their homes.
The question is though, what will the world actually see?
Will the world be honest, examine the side effects and decide whether to continue on the drug or go shopping for a new treatment? Or will the users be so entrapped by the feel good factor, the promise of hope and thus let any side effect or long-term impact be ignored, thereby remaining in their addicted state as they did with Kennedy. This will also be a great study in human psychology. Do we really want change? Or are we merely happy with someone that promises the road to change? And when we find that someone, do we test them, or accept anything they do, as they are the only ones in 50 years to provide us with this hope.
An even more interesting part is going to be if the drug actually delivers on its promise and provides the solutions it is supposed to. If this occurs, we will all witness one of the greatest portions in history that the world has ever seen. It will be a sight to see and an experience to be part of. Personally, I hope this is the outcome.
Either way, we are going to witness a great study in human psychology or a phenomenal display of human achievement. Stay tuned friends it is just the beginning, till then, load up or Obamania, it is very refreshing.
Obamania was all good because "the stupid" GOP wasn't going to spend all the tax dollars on "AIIRAQ".
ReplyDeleteI will admit that I was addicted to the drug as well and thought he would be a powerfull moderate force - but the true liberal spending Dems are in full power now - with the decision to propose a NINETY Percent tax on ALL TARP bonuses - it was Geithner's fault they didnt include a clause in TARP. Additionally, as president elect Obama came off as super buttoned down and ready to charge forward but as has been witnessed by his messy confirmations - that was a spectacular mirage.
I am really interested in finding out how the Obamamania factor plays in the 2010 senate and house elections.
Sorry this seems to have been a bit of a rant but you caught me a little HOT.
I have always been a little skeptical of President Obama. Even tried to stay away from Obamania. But then again I would have been wary of anyone who has to lead at a time like this.
ReplyDeleteUp until now the American people and the world at large seemed greatful to have a nominee who stated the obvious with regard to their nation and its relationship with the world. This was the most honesty they had experienced in almost eight years.
However, I believe that it is going to be hard not to dissapoint. No matter how good his team is, no matter how good the administration thinks its policies are (some may even be ok), it is going to take a fairly long time for the natural forces to help stabilize the American economy. Just as it was foolish for people to give so much credit to Alan Greenspan and Bill Clinton for the most recent boom era, it would be foolish to place all their hope on one man and one adminsitration. It would be foolish to discount natural forecs at work.
And I personally dont believe that the American people have the patience to witness any impact from policies that will be implemented. It is their inability to hold on that will deliver the 'negative side effects'.