ReConstituted

We the people voted for change last November. And just in case you haven't been paying attention, change is already underway.

It doesn't look like what some Obama supporters dreamed. Gays and lesbians were shocked when Rick Warren was chosen to pray at the inauguration.

It doesn't look like what many Obama detractors feared. Obama's economic package includes more tax cuts and closer scrutiny of spending. . He has not abandoned Israel.

Change is coming. I am reminded of Jack Nicholson's famous line in "A Few Good Men," "You can't handle the truth." We the people are not used to handling change, espcecially if it is not exactly as we ordered.

I am also once again reminded of Corinthians 13, the definition of real love, which I bemoaned in a post a couple of weeks ago. "Love is not overbearing. Love does not insist on its on way."

Agenda driven ultra-liberals desired, and agenda driven neo-conservatives dreaded, an ideologue, a mirror image of what we have had for the past eight years; opposite in almost every way, but just as closed to conversation with the those who disagree. But that is not the change that is coming if this pre-inaugural activity is a harbinger. How long has it been since a leader, the leader, suggested in response to a critic, without sarcasm, "if he has a suggestion to improve the proposal, I want to hear it. If it is better, we'll use it." Obama said that after a speech yesterday when he was questioned about Paul Krugman's concern about his economic plan. No more "if you're not for us, you're against us." This is going to take some getting used to.

And his appointments list contains no yes-people. In fact, some disagree significantly with Obama from the outset. He recently appointed an economic advisor that strongly believes that tax cuts will rev the economy, that spending stimulus does not. That has not been Obama's position.

No doubt Obama, as far as his personal beliefs, is a liberal. And there may some change coming that reflects those personal beliefs.

But if those issues are all that change, this pivotal moment in our history will have been wasted.

The first change we need is not a particular issue. It is a change in the way government works. Or as some believe, that government can work at all. It must be primarily a change in the way we deal with substantive issues, before we actually deal with those substantive issues.

One of the common observations that speaks volumes about how twisted our thinking has become is that Obama is caving in, is not being true to himself or his supporters, by listening to people who disagree with him, by including people in conversation with whom he will probably never agree, by treating so called opposition with respect. Some are disappointed. Some say that he is not what he claimed. Some say that this inclusiveness is a sign of weakness. Some want proper punishment (revenge) for the conduct of government during the past few years.

It is risky to allow ideas other than your own to have prominence if your only goal is to protect and advance your ideas. But if one's goal is to allow the best ideas to come to the surface, no matter the source, then it is far riskier to restrict the "marketplace of ideas." We have forgotten the glory of that free and open market. Our menu of ideas has been so limited for so long. But change is coming. The new market is slowly opening. All are welcome.

It takes a strong leader to pull it off. Give him a little help. Let your ideas be known, to those around you and to your elected representatives. And listen to those around you who share ideas, even if they are different than yours, especially if they are different than yours. And do it with respect.

It could be fun. It's not new. It is, in fact, the real American way. So maybe we're not changing. Maybe we are just rediscovering our true selves.


.