A New Frontier

I think that we all yearn to be inspired. I truly believe that somewhere deep within our jaded hearts, there exists a part of each of us that desires to be awakened by one who can lead; by someone who has the makeup to inspire even those who don’t necessarily agree with his particular point of view. I don’t know if Barack Obama is this man. But I think he could be.

I’ve been reading a few books about President Kennedy recently. In 1960, this brash, young senator from Massachusetts earned the Democratic nomination for president despite being a relative newcomer to politics. A congressman by 29 and a senator by 35, this man was embarking down paths generally reserved for older, “wiser”, more experienced politicians. Standing in his way were two predominant obstacles: Catholicism and what appeared to be a stodgy, old, career politician who if not for television’s unfriendly eye, would have been our 35th president instead of our 37th. The fact that Richard Nixon was only four years older than Kennedy mattered little, as they were worlds apart when it came to public perception.

You have to admit that the similarities are striking. Now, in no way do I mean to disparage President Nixon by comparing him to John McCain. Whatever moral ineptitudes Nixon developed late in his presidency, by most accounts he was a talented and good hearted, albeit misguided politician who deserved better than the singular memory he occupies in the eyes of most Americans. McCain is a turd.

Kennedy had many advantages in life. He was born rich and lived with every comfort that could be offered to America’s aristocracy. It cannot be ignored that his father pulled many strings for him, and without his influence, likely never would have pursued a political career. But to limit his success to wealth and connections does a great disservice to the man.

From his inaugural address:

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty…
So let us begin anew—remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us…
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin…
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

JFK was by no means perfect, but one thing he mastered was the ability to inspire. It is so sad to me that we so rarely have presidents we believe in. Listening to Obama speak to the country has been an electrifying experience for me. He seems to have that special power that is only given to a few select members of each generation. His words inspire and unite. “This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected.” Does anybody think John McCain has the potential to be remembered alongside Lincoln, Kennedy, Churchill and others? Please.

I am very conservative when it comes to politics. I’ve voted republican in both elections that I’ve been old enough to participate in. Senator Obama might in fact be too young and inexperienced. He might be too liberal for my taste. I don’t necessarily want government subsidized health care, although I don’t think it will signal the onslaught of Armageddon like many republicans. I don’t support gay marriage. Then why Obama?

I see in Obama a quality of leadership that we have been severely lacking. It has been far too long since we had someone in the Whitehouse that could inspire. He has made me, a cynic, want to believe. I think that’s half the battle; to break people out of the apathetic rut and get them to want to make their country better. This is where JFK excelled. He spoke of a new frontier, and encouraged Americans by telling them, “We can be better.” I hear that same message today, but it isn’t coming from my Republican side of the ticket. “The change we seek has always required great struggle and great sacrifice. And so this is a battle in our own hearts and minds about what kind of country we want and how hard we're willing to work for it. So let me remind you tonight that change will not be easy. Change will take time. There will be setbacks and false starts and sometimes we'll make mistakes. But as hard as it may seem, we cannot lose hope, because there are people all across this great nation who are counting on us.”

More famously, Senator Obama has exclaimed, “Where we are met with cynicism and doubt and fear and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of the American people in three simple words -- yes, we can.”

I think he might be right. If nothing else, I want to believe.

The Time Has Come Today

As Election Day draws near, we find ourselves being bombarded with political advertisements. One can hardly pick up a paper, or turn on the TV without seeing evidence of the heated presidential race, not to mention all of the other hotly contested issues ready to hit the ballot in November. These circumstances bring to mind wise counsel from former LDS church president Gordon B. Hinckley.

“Legal restraints against deviant moral behavior are eroding under legislative enactments and court opinions. This is done in the name of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of choice in so-called personal matters. But the bitter fruit of these so-called freedoms has been enslavement to debauching habits and behavior that leads only to destruction. A prophet, speaking long ago, aptly described the process when he said, “And thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.” (2 Nephi 28:21)
On the other hand, . . . I am one who believes that the situation is far from hopeless. I am satisfied that there is no need to stand still and let the filth and violence overwhelm us, or to run in despair. The tide, high and menacing as it is, can be turned back if enough of the kind I have mentioned will add their strength to the strength of the few who are now effectively working. I believe the challenge to oppose this evil is one from which members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and citizens, cannot shrink.” (1975)

For those who might not be aware, there is a Proposition on the ballot of California that is aimed at protecting the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman. For more information on this critical piece of proposed legislation, visit www.preservingmarriage.org. Supporting Proposition 8 is the specific type of activity that needs to be done in order to fight back this “tide.”

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the political process. Many feel that there is no point in caring, because their vote doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things. What difference can one person make?

In a speech given to students at Yale in 1962, President John F. Kennedy shed light on this dangerous train of thought. “The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie—deliberate, contrived, and dishonest—but the myth—persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.” The hopelessness that often spawns apathy is just that—a myth. We have been persuaded for so long that dreaming of making a difference is childish and naïve. But change is possible. Positive change is not only possible, but it is within reach of everyone with a voice. We all have the power to influence those around us. We all have the ability to make our voice heard. Now more than ever, we can let others know what we stand for and how we feel about the direction our country is headed. “Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions. He makes statutes and decisions possible or impossible to be executed.” (Abraham Lincoln) We can use every medium that is at our disposal. Blog. Chat. Talk with friends. Write your local paper’s editorial section. Do whatever it is you can to make your voice heard. If nothing else, we can help to shape public sentiment, and by doing so we exert as much or more influence than the lawmakers themselves.

Shakespeare once said, “They do not love, that do not show their love.” I think this also applies to the love of country. Those who wish to show their gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy need to act. Apathy is not an option. Educate yourself. Find out what it is that matters most to you and do something about it. President Hinckley stated, “It is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world and the world must be a better place for your presence.” Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Now is when your country needs you. Now is the time to act. I close with the inspiring words of Winston Churchill, who saw Britain through its darkest hours. “To every man there comes that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a special thing unique to him and fitted to his talent. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which would be his finest hour.”