I Dream, You Lead

If anyone had any doubt that Barack Obama was just clever packaging delivered with a few catchphrases, those doubts should be erased. The insight he shared about himself during his day before Thanksgiving press conference proved everything that I have known about him to be correct. From W.E.B. DuBois veil to Martin Luther King's Dream, black leadership has been dependent on symbolism. During the campaign, symbolism over substance directed the Obama campaign to victory. Weeks after the election, we know now that Obama doesn't lead, he dreams and has visions--symbolism over substance. Obama's vision is nothing more than veil that masks his lack of leadership.

But understand where the -- the vision for change comes from first and foremost. It comes from me. That's my job. Barack Obama, November 26, 2008

There are so many items you could point out with this arrogant statement. The first, and most importantly, Mr. Obama fails to understand the vision comes from hardworking Americans who invest in the American dream to achieve greatness for themselves which transfers to greatness for the country. The President's job is not to force his vision on us. His job is quite limited. It's his job to get out of the way, and allow freedom to inspire people to be their best. The vision of change should come from every one of us, not Obama.

Even more alarming, is how it seems that Obama is passing off his responsibilities to lead. In this statement, it's as if he's saying I see an America that is economically strong, but to get there, I am passing my responsibilities off on others, so I can continue to have these Utopian dreams. He says it's his team's job to fulfil his vision. In reality, it's supposed to be the other way around. His team is should provide him with factual information, and he should make the tough choices based on their findings.

Love him or hate him, George W. Bush led, at least until he started his own socialist movement through the work of Henry Paulson. He received advice and made tough decisions throughout his Presidnecy, even if they were unpopular. I get a far different picture of Obama what the Obama Presidency will be about. I dream. You lead.

The truth is the less Obama dreams and his group of Washington insiders tinker, the better off the economy will be. Obama's narcissistic visions threaten our free-market economy whose foundations are strong enough to heal themselves, even if the Big Three fail and a few banks falter.

The government is now regulating responsibility. There was a time when bad business practices, poor quality, and bad decisions had a price to the business. Now they have a price to the taxpayer. This second guesses the power of the markets. Many people are concerned about the Big Three going under, but they never look to see if there is a bright side if they do fail. Similarly, Obama's dreams and visions are only bright if the government has it's hammers and wrenches out hoping to fix things. If Obama was a real leader, he would allow this to run its course and place the government tool bag back in the shed.

Now, we have insight on how Obama will run his office. I hope during the next four years, he gains wisdom beyond a vision he passes off to others.