It’s amazing how the hopes and dreams of millions, and probably billions, are at the feet of one man. Barack Obama is perched on a pedestal that is hovering high, with the citizens of diverse and far flung nations all holding their breath in anticipation of how this “saviour” will bring peace and harmony to the world.
Americans are rejoicing like never before. They can hardly contain themselves. The world has signed up for Obamamania.
Barack’s inauguration, attended by almost two million people from blacks and whites, Hispanics and Asians and watched on TV by two billion more, saw Obama at his best. While he fluffed his lines while taking the oath and showed the man can falter after all, his speech making qualities were at their best.
But all we’ve heard from this “shining light” are words and rhetoric. As Obama himself said “the time for words is over” and the world awaits his first moves.
The question remains can he shake off the curse of the Bush legacy. To see vice president Dick Cheney being wheeled in on a wheelchair last Tuesday just about summed up the state of the outgoing administration. Americans are at a sensitive juncture in their country’s history. With the Bush years now behind them, they have an economy to rebuild, their reputation to restore, their country is at war, and they are under the constant threat of terrorism.
One dares not think about Obama failing. That pedestal is only a temporary structure and for him to remain on his perch he must make the right moves. He now has the opportunity to write his own history, to make dreams, build confidence in his Government and engage in transparent politics, the only kind of politics that can be tolerated and accepted today.
Closer to home the Taoiseach has wished Obama well. We have yet to see if his Offaly roots are strong enough for us to enjoy the same relationship with Obama that we had with Bill Clinton. If not our economy could be further weakened if American companies pull out of Ireland. That would be devastating for us when already 3,000 people have lost their jobs since the start of this month.
What we need here is a leader like Obama. Someone who inspires and excites. Brian Cowen has been nothing short of a disappointment since he became Taoiseach. He has lacked the leadership qualities that the country so craved. He’s no dreamer. Without question he took over when the country was entering some of the bleakest days seen but his constant backtracking and backing down on tough decisions has led people to question his ability to lead our country. It’s time the Government had a real look at the areas they are trying to save money because unless they lead by example and start chopping the salaries of the country’s top dogs then we little people won’t tolerate seeing our weekly incomes being eroded.
Talks of public sector wage cuts are worrying and the manner in which this could be done in one fell swoop. A bottom grade clerical worker in the public sector who is taking home little more than €400 per week cannot afford a pay cut. A top grade manager who earns a handsome salary with expenses to match can. How our TDs are paid must be reviewed. We elect them to represent us and if that means sitting on committees, then as far as I’m concerned that’s their job and they shouldn’t be paid extra allowances for carrying out these duties.
So much responsibility now lies on the shoulders of one man across the pond. But our man in Dublin needs to start shouldering a lot more responsibility if he is to justify his own salary, which is more than what Obama now enjoys.
toni bourke Editor [email protected]
