Mobhale Matinyi
On Monday, January 21, the president-elect of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama, 51, took the oath of office for his second and last term which will conclude on January 20, 2017. It was a big event on a chilly day, witnessed by about 700,000 people, less than half the 2009 figures.
Coincidentally, that Monday was also Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Day, an official public holiday celebrated on the third Monday of each January. Undoubtedly, it was a big day to Obama and Americans as well.
However, Obama had to be sworn-in privately on Sunday, January 20 at the White House to fulfill a constitutional requirement whose Twentieth Amendment states that the inauguration of the president must take place on January 20. The public ceremony therefore, which attracted almost the entire world, was a mere formality.
Traditionally, American presidents address the nation on that day, and so did Obama. He wasted no time spelling out his agenda for the next four years. Listening carefully, looking at his lips and body language, and reading between the lines, one could easily sense an attempt to set a path for his legacy.
Although both of Obama's inaugural speeches have not produced memorable lines such as John Fitzgerald Kennedy's "ask not what your country can do for you," on January 20, 1961, he has still demonstrated that he is a legacy-seeker. Obama wants to leave a mark in history despite stiff opposition from Republicans who for some reasons are so angry at his presidency.
Obama reminded Americans about the principles that founded this unique nation, and he talked of how great America is. Then he touched on his signature agendum of fighting for the majority who are made to suffer for the enjoyment of a few, the reason why his foes label him a socialist president.
Although it is hard for most Americans to accept this naked truth, but honestly this nation has too many poor people for no apparent reason whatsoever. Seriously, according to a Washington-based organization, Bread for the World, America is home to 49 million poor people, who have no idea of where their next meal will come from, and hundreds of thousands of them sleep on pavements.
If one looks at the poverty level as defined by the US Federal Government, as an annual income of $11,139 for an individual or $22,314 for a family of four, by 2010 this nation had about 100 million poor people out of a population of 308 million. Surely, you cannot survive on such meager income in America; this is close to nothing!
Additionally, Bread for the World says that half of all Americans will live in poverty some time before the age of 65, and that's appalling for such a wealthy nation.
Look at another saddening piece of information - according to the 2012 States of the World's Mothers report, which shows how safe a country is for a mother to bear a child, the US ranks between poor European countries of Belarus and Czech Republic. Why is this case? Because poverty is rampant, thus having one of the top notches medical services in the world doesn't quite help much!
These are the kinds of things that bother Obama and when he wants to address them some arrogant people call him all sorts of names. But the truth is that, the highly idealistic Obama wants to be realistic in solving American problems, which are just too much for a powerful nation like this.
He therefore, for the benefit of future generations, wants to also address other issues like climate change and world peace in an attempt to make the US a decent member of the international community although some people don't like this idea.
But there is one problem with Obama's dream of transforming America: his obsession to serve gay interests driven by his perception of American principles of justice, liberty and equality. Unfortunately, just like other gay supporters, he doesn't explain why homosexuals only deserve that special treatment.
Why can't these rights be extended to paedophiles, rapists, terrorists, drug abusers, murderers, and even polygamists who are outlawed in America? What happens if some people demand for marriage between human beings and animals?
Why should adopted orphans be subjected to experience the cruelty of living with gays and lesbians? How do you teach a child that this man is your "mother" or that woman is your "father"? How about the child's right to understand, experience and appreciate the God-given meaning of a father and a mother?
Anyway, Obama has already set a record as the first black president, a very important step for the future of the nation that is still struggling to emerge from racial discrimination; now it is the time to solidify his legacy based on his ideas, actions and achievements. All the best Obama!
Mr Matinyi is a consultant based in Washington, DC
http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/editorial-analysis/20-analysis-opinions/28370-obama-sets-path-for-his-legacy.html |
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