Change?

"As we stand with our backs to the breakers, we are looking down on a world gone dark. Where golden seas once washed on pristine shores. As we stand with our backs to the breakers, we are looking down on a world in pain. And though we may die young, I swear we won't die in vain. We are a new faith. We are a new face. We are everything in this world that personifies change."

The above is a transcript of lyrics I sing in a song that my band performs. I recently introduced this song - linking it to a prior speech on how the questioning of authority can be the first step to change - by describing what this song is supposed to encapsulate. I explained that this song is meant to call people to action, in essence. Things in the world are in a very poor place right now and, in my mind, the only feasible way to have a desirable outcome is to change our ways of thinking and acting towards a positive outcome. We must make the world a better place. We must focus on that final desired out come.

All this aside, though. As soon as I had finished describing the intent of this song, I found myself being heckled by kids in the crowd. And the reason astounded me. Their exact words were, "Then why did you vote for Obama?". Mind you, this was your standard group of ratty punk rock anarchist kids. They're everywhere, in every town, living in their parents' half million dollar houses, continually spewing pure uninformed, unthought out, shit from their mouths. And usually I just ignore them. But, for some reason, this time it just enraged me. I was the bigger man and I didn't give them the satisfaction of getting me worked up. I offered them a logical discussion after our set. Ironically enough, no one really seemed interested in having any political discussions afterwards.

So far, this whole post has been about how annoyed I was with these mere children. But, now I must discuss the reality and sanity, or lack of, in regards to what they brought up. I will put this in very plain English. Short and concise statements. Hopefully, my opinion and my point will be well illustrated. I just hope that everyone is coherent enough to give an altering view point a chance. Open-mindedness is a gem.

Okay, here it goes:
Obama is different than the last eight, even perhaps the last 28 years. Obama is different than McCain would have been, had he won. McCain or Obama were going to win, end of story. Obama isn't perfect. Obama is still a part of the flawed big government, bureaucratic system. But, a drastic change is not going to happen over night. With Obama, standards were pushed to a new radical level that mainstream society hadn't seen before. No one is saying that Obama is great and we need not continue fighting. But, given the circumstances in November, Obama was a wise choice. His ideas will stretch the status quo. They will make what is accepted by the populous a more greatly expanded set of ideals. In conclusion, Obama was a logical and much needed step towards betterment. He isn't the ideal and he is quite flawed in many ways, but he truly brings us one step closer to that ideal.




Listen to the song, "A Necessary Change", at http://www.last.fm/music/Trunks%2B%2526%2BTales/Tour+EP.