A President Versus A Wizard

Guess what? We elected a President. He does not have a magic wand. He cannot wave away this recession. He cannot fix healthcare overnight. He cannot cast a spell over Congress and make them pass his proposals. President Obama cannot do this alone which is why he said to us in his speech “we all have a responsibility to each other and to our country. It will take time and it will take the patience of the American people.”

There is no doubt that our great nation is experiencing one of the most turbulent economic times since the founding of our great country. The high unemployment rates, horrific home foreclosures and corporate greed have crippled the economy. Yes, we are in a recession. America is in unchartered economic waters. Americans from all walks of life are learning to do more with less. Layoffs and downsizing are a regular part of our economic lexicon. In the midst of all of this President Barack Obama took to the television airwaves on last night and told us that “we will recover from this recession.”

Our gifted, intelligent and relational President stood in the White House Press Room and sought to soothe our economic sorrow. He did not deny the enormity of the challenges that we face. Instead he was honest and hopeful. However, we must understand that Barack Obama is the President of the United States of America and not a wizard.

A wizard has a magical wand and it able to wave away problems and challenges. A President does not have this luxury. He must methodically work through problems and challenges. A wizard can cast spells and force people to carry out his will. President Obama must sell his budget and his proposals. A wizard lives in a castle and rarely sees people. President Obama is a man of the people and a man for the people.

Lest we forget, President Obama did not create this economic tsunami. He inherited this mess. There is no way to fix this overnight. We did not get here overnight. The President looked us in the face on last night and said to us, “”It took many years and many failures to lead us here. And it will take many months and many different solutions to lead us out. There are no quick fixes, and there are no silver bullets.”

If we had of elected a wizard in November, then we he could pick up his wand and wave away our recession. If we had of elected a wizard in November, then he could wave away unemployment. If we had of elected a wizard, then he could magically fix our healthcare system.

Guess what? We elected a President. He does not have a magic wand. He cannot wave away this recession. He cannot fix healthcare overnight. He cannot cast a spell over Congress and make them pass his proposals. President Obama cannot do this alone which is why he said to us in his speech “we all have a responsibility to each other and to our country. It will take time and it will take the patience of the American people.” Our President called on each American to pitch in and do our part. He said, “it will take an understanding that, when we all work together, when each of us looks beyond our own short-term interest to the wider set of obligations we have towards each other, that’s when we succeed.” We are a nation and not an island to ourselves. A hallmark of our greatness rests in the fact that in the darkest moments of this nation we have pulled together and emerged as a stronger nation.

Even Merlin, the resident magician for King Arthur, had limitations. If Merlin could not wave away and fix everything with his wand, then why do we expect as much from our President. As of last night, he had only been President for sixty-four days. Give him some time and he will lead us out of this mess and we will be a stronger nation.