Published January 8, 2008 in the Philadelphia Daily News

I'M A DEMOCRAT, and I want my country back!

You know, the country that cherishes our history. That believes we're a tapestry of immigrants who came here for opportunity, freedom of speech and the end of religious persecution. People who came here with nothing, to work hard and build from there. Like many of us and our parents and grandparents.

But I made a very big mistake. I didn't trust my gut. In an early debate, when Barack Obama said he was open to talk with the enemies of America, my initial reaction was, "Good for you! Enough divisiveness. Let's try it to go from there!"

But the Beltway experts supported the assessment of Obama opponents who called his views "naïve," even dangerous. I mistakenly respected their analysis, misguidedly mimicked the word "naïve" in urging a draft of Al Gore. Losing my faith in the possibility of an Obama victory, I believed that Gore could pull us from our horrifying abyss.

Well, listening to the voice of the people in Iowa showed me that "we the people" are smarter than the so-called experts. And it confirmed how essential it is to listen to everything and then make up your own mind about a candidate's direction and abilities.

And it's not only the words of a candidate that matter. It's their unspoken message, too. In this election, Joe Biden and Chris Dodd, both now out of the race, distinguished themselves as wise and committed statesmen. Despite his experience, Bill Richardson hasn't reached the public. And John Edwards, who's mounted a brave campaign, is viewed by many as angry and divisive.

There is also simmering awareness that Hillary will continue to defend her Bill and his record, as blind to his political lapses as she is forgiving of his personal assaults on their life together.

The support of many who defended and supported him despite his personal limitations is waning. His reappearance in campaign mode has rekindled their belief, once clouded by empathy, that Bill Clinton should have known better, and that his weaknesses played Russian roulette with our lives. And this anger is spilling over and hurting Hillary.

No one could ignore the truth and power of a true rainbow coalition surrounding Obama as he claimed victory in Iowa. No power brokers remained on the podium as he spoke to the country. Not even his family. Not even Oprah. Only "we the people," with an uplifting array of young voters, so noticeably absent and apathetic in most elections.

JUST PICTURE those worldwide who've been brainwashed to hate us, who've never had an opportunity to read about the best of our country, what led to our birth as a nation, our ideals and our belief that, even against great odds, democracy can work. Now imagine them waking up the morning after an Obama victory. The arguments of those who hate us the most will be washed away.

The same commitments that keep a family healthy keep a nation and a world safe and on a moral track. When troubled families talk together, the troublemakers among them, the pot-stirrers, those who do not want communication and resolution, those who do not understand the importance of compromise, stick out like a sore thumb. But a healthy family, like the one Obama envisions, can unite to defang them.

This quality of healing and awareness so necessary in our country and beyond will gain momentum with an Obama victory. Its combination of health and hope is infectious. Is there enough common sense in America to let this happen?

...............................................

Update:  Reply through the Daily News

...............................................

SaraKay Smullens (www.sarakaysmullens.com), a social worker and family therapist, writes on social and political issues.

Return to Articles Page