The Case for Hope

For generations, American youth have been mired in a fog of apathy and cynicism that wasn't projected to rise any time soon. We've been labeled with letters which define who we're supposed to be and how we're supposed to act. Those who defined us were the first ones to turn our backs on us. The didn't fail to speak to us, they decided that we weren't worth the time. They decided that the next generation of Americans meant less than their bitter partisan wars and power squabbles in Washington.

It took a popularly unpopular presidency for the politicians in Washington, mainly the Democrats, to recognize that we care. And even then, they failed to take advantage of an abhorred administration to rally us. Even then, they failed because, simply put, we weren't convinced. They secretly looked down their collective noses at us and we saw through it.

However, now there is someone who understands our importance in preserving the American ideal. Senator Obama recognizes that the government needs the involvement and support of a younger generation. He says the time for avante garde politicians and hardline party officials is at an end. We've responded and there's been an infusion of younger talent in Washington. We need that trend to go all the way to the top.

The critics of Senator Obama continually emphasize that he's big on rhetoric and short on substance. They say his big speeches are just that - words. They say he offers nothing but false hope without clear cut solutions. Perhaps America needs a light of hope to show us the way into the 21st century. Solutions and proposed policies at this stage are bound to be watered down and completely unrecognizable by the time they pass through Congress. So whatever Senator Clinton, or Obama for that matter, say in terms of policy, should be taken with a grain of salt. But Obama offers us something that Clinton doesn't - hope and unity. And those two propositions cannot be attacked directly nor diluted by partisan rivals. Those two propositions cannot be watered down by journeys through Congressional gauntlets.

Senator Obama sees greatness in this country that few politicians since Jack and Bobby Kennedy have dared to openly express. He recognizes that a Democracy can become truly effective only when the people take responsibility and are willing to sacrifice their effort and time. His plan to base financial aid for higher education upon involvement in civic programs such as the Peace Corps and Americorps seeks to give young people a chance at education and simultaneously integrate a sense of civic duty into an ethos of a generation.

He had the foresight to vote against the war in Iraq. Although I don't necessarily agree with his proposed withdrawal scheme, I acknowledge that his initial opposition to the war demonstrates great insight into politics and foreign relations. In 2002 the idea of war with Iraq, with all the evidence of weapons of mass destruction, was relatively popular in America. Even Democrats such as Senator Clinton voted for the incursion. However, Senator Obama was astute enough to stand tall and oppose. In the general election, he's the only candidate left who can face the American people and say that. And with the war being a cornerstone issue of this election, the Democrats would have an advantage in nominating Obama. Something they'd give up if Clinton were to win.

Barack Obama is an individual and civic leader that appears only once a generation. He is the type of person that can can change the course of a nation. He can get people involved in their country and make a difference. He can revitalize JFK's "ask not what your country can do for you" mantra. In fact, several international publications have named him the only current United States politician that has the potential to change the world. And in a time where America's world image has been tarnished, a figure like Obama can give our allies, and enemies, reason to believe in us again. More importantly, he can give us a chance to believe in ourselves again.