Obama, the one-term wonder

The President lost the country today. He proved every pundit right. You know that tired old meme that Democrats have no spine? Today, it became painfully, evidently true, in a way that makes me sad and ashamed. I'm sad because I was lulled into loving Obama, and thinking that he was a transformational President, like an FDR for my generation. I'm ashamed because I should have known better.

Barack Obama inspired me to want to devote the rest of my life to public service. He's the reason I'm busting my ass in law school. I saw this eloquent and inspiring young senator and realized that it was time for me to start pulling my weight as a citizen again. He made me want to be a better American, a better citizen of the world, and a better person.

And now, I'm lost. If Barack Obama had been just another politician, it wouldn't matter. He would have gotten my default, non-Republican vote and I could be non-committal in my support, not being surprised when yet another Democrat shit himself in fear at Republican obstructionism. But he was supposed to be different. He was the man who was going to change the culture of Washington. He was the man who was going to revive decency and civility. He was going to give the rest of us a chance, after the rich had their way with this country for 8 years.

Well, it didn't pan out. Yet again, we were fooled by flashy oratory and promises he had no intention of keeping. We were fooled into thinking his election was OUR election. We were told we were a part of his victory. And that may be true. But once the party was over, it was back to business as usual.

At this point, I don't think there's anything he could do to win back his lost base. We were miffed about the watered-down health care reform. We were pissed off when he appointed the same Harvard cabal that helped ruin our economy to lead his economic team. We were also pretty steamed when he named a former Monsanto executive to the department of agriculture. Now that he's capitulated to the Republicans on yet another campaign promise, and this was a pretty big one, the overwhelming emotion I'm seeing isn't rage or incredulity. It's apathy. We just don't care anymore about this president, this party, or the fucking joke that is our federal government.

I'm sorry I had to see it happen. I thought I was going to see history get made with Obama in the White House. Instead, I get to see it repeated. If I cared anymore, I'd be sadder than I am. But I can't bring myself to care anymore. I guess that's what hurts the most. Obama made me care again, and then proved I shouldn't have bothered.

I hear Canada's nice.