He wins...and now?

The thrill. It still moves. The anticipation of an inauguration reminiscent of the emancipation in significance. What a journey. He is our Joshua galvanizing the Joshua generation with every speech, and inward smile. He is, in a word, extraordinary. More importantly he makes us feel extraordinary. Are we?

The Inauguration is January 20, 2009. I wish I could write for a living then maybe it might be less than a year between posts. But according to my leader, Barack ("racki") is my leader, the pursuit of money exemplifies a "poverty of ambition." I do not want my ambition to be poor. I want my ambition to be rich! Therefore I CAN write for a living YES I CAN YES I CAN YES I CAN! Right?Economy. The hilarity of the Bush treasury raids throughout his presidency has now snowballed into a stupefying turn of money-wasting events. All those working class goood ol' boys who voted for Bush are looking at their pink slips, pick-up truck payments and NRA membership bills and asking,"Waat the heyull hap'nd!?? I am $%% unemployed!!!" The war has made all the beltway government contractors wealthier for the next 100 generations - including George's brother Marvin Bush - who lives loaded and in luxury in McLean, Virginia. In the hood they would call these hook-ups the gangster kinds of moves which would make Scarface proud. Enter Paulson, bailing out and more bailing out. More pink slips. All of America is looking forward to Inauguration Day, barely breathing, hoping a change will come while we still have our jobs. THEN I will write for a living. NOW I work and thank God for the income.

There is a great longing to be within the inner political circle. To be a friend of a decision-making lawmaker - for some - means appropriations, invitations, inaugurations, adulation and higher income bracket taxation. But who cares? You're in! Receiving the invite, on the list, at the convention, on the floor, at the luncheon, making the speech and getting the press, the connection the contract or the support which might help the next few generations of your family. How badly we hope and pray and connive and scheme to be in the inner circle. Traveling to Washington for the Inaugural? How much money did you give? $50,000? Well the Inauguration committee will take excellent care of you. Yay!

Shiloh Baptist church of Washington is a 145 year old church. Amazing history, founded by slaves, the whole bit. They are hosting inaugural viewing for the community on big screens. I believe there are balls and a host of other happenings there with dignitaries and others who wish to observe the moment on a more spiritual historic note. What would the slaves think. Can you picture them hovering above the mall which they helped build, looking at Obama being sworn in? I am sure they are proud of the growth of their church over this century but are they shouting for joy at last? If you had been a slave, would you be?I would.

Barack's candidacy is about what is possible and the providence that moved with every step he took to put the people, resources, messages in place to allow this to happen. What if he'd quit upon the Clinton announcement? What if he had folded under the Jeremiah Wright flap? what if he refused to stand and risk and address and reach and ask and know? Would he be President? What if he knew because someone may have whispered in his ear,"Keep going. You will win." that pressing forward at all costs was the only answer? What if we all lived this way?

I have a day job and poverty of ambition coupled with the stability of complacency.It is January 1, 2009. I intend to press forward as if someone had whispered in my ear. I am not connected. Yet, I am not alone. I am not a Bush nor am I a donor to the level which will provide me VIP passes to the Inauguration. But I have a dream, that one day black words on white paper will flow from my fingers and people will judge on the content of their character and seek them out. I will one day get to the promised land of doing what I love and being able to live from it. Yes we can, ladies. Barack has told us so.