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A Great Day for President Obama

And I say, au contraire.

The pundits describe the Democratic Party as "reeling" in the wake of Republican Scott Brown's stunning victory in the Massachusetts special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the passing of Ted Kennedy. This "imperils" President Barack Obama's agenda for health care and other domestic issues, because now the Republicans have 41 seats in the Senate, which means that Mr. Obama no longer has a filibuster-proof Senate. To quote a CNN news piece: "It is a mighty blow for a president who just one year ago seemed unbreakable, unstoppable, and unbeatable."

On the surface, these assessments appear correct. But upon further reflection, it seems to me that Tuesday's election has the potential to truly be a positive watershed moment for this administration.

I believe that both parties champion worthwhile ideas (for more on this topic, see Left or Right?); though at times their respective valid values conflict. As evidenced by the issue at hand: It's certainly important to ensure that every citizen has access to adequate medical care—whether or not he or she can personally afford it—but it's also important to assure the continued high quality of the nation's healthcare, and that companies are not taxed out of business to cover the costs.

When both parties have a voice, the result can and should be reaching a middle ground that satisfies all sensibilities. A healthcare reform bill that ensues will be a better one, one that takes into account so many more considerations, one that has a far greater likelihood of succeeding.

Ultimately, the president's laudable goal of providing universal healthcare has taken a step forward yesterday—provided that Mr. Obama welcomes the infusion of new ideas and views this as an opportunity to be utilized, not an obstacle to overcome.

As is the case with so many challenges that we encounter, if we look a bit deeper, we can perceive that they have the potential to make us stronger and wiser—if only we can zoom in on the positive.


No other than G‑d Himself provides an example of this idea in action.

Before all was created by the word of His mouth, He had the only vote. Forget about filibusters—there was no one and nothing to have any opinion at all regarding any agenda He might have had.

And G‑d decided that he wanted voters. Voters who could actually decide to countermand His agenda. For this reason, He didn't suffice with creating angels and other spiritual beings—entities that respond to all He says and does with a resounding "Holy! Holy! Holy!"

The objective of creation is the human race, whose members have the ability to decide that they are the "opposition"; who can form their own parties and dissent or filibuster at will.

G‑d doesn't want to impose His will on us; He wants us to vote for His agenda of our own volition. The truest truth can never be forced upon others.

This is a leadership modality that Mr. Obama should feel privileged to emulate...


Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Jan 26, 2010
Excellent blog post.what many are thinking!
--a fan in MA
Posted By SG, boston, ma

Posted: Jan 26, 2010
Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.
I do not doubt President Obama's good intentions, more his naive arrogance. Now chastened, may he humbly ask G-d for guidance and wisdom as did David's son Solomon.
Posted By Paul Slocumb, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Posted: Jan 26, 2010
health care
As a european-American, health care schemes are the hallmarks of a healthy society that recognizes that children cannot grow up as competent educated citizens without basic family health care.

If private enterprise and funding were able to provide a just, fair coverage paid for by the insured recepients, there would be no need for this government initiative. But the lacks in our system undermine the progress of our society at every juncture when looking at the country as a whole not just one's own personal situation. One longs for a sustainable competent fair program that meets the insurance needs of all Americans. The leaders who enable this to become a reality have my vote regardless of their party. In Europe, this was installed decades ago.
Posted By Anonymous, Kalmar, Sweden

Posted: Jan 25, 2010
this article should warm the collective cockles of all of the world's hearts...
Posted By Mommy, WB, MI

Posted: Jan 25, 2010
Health Care
You want to empower the citizen's? Don't give us life long benefits rather, give us the availability to the same educational opportunities afforded the rich. Empower us for knowledge; we wont need Federal Health Insurance or what ever non-sense they want to call call this attempted rape of a nation. I'm not real good with numbers but put a couple trillion in education, that alone should hire a few professors. I don't mean to sound sarcastic but please we really need to rise to a higher understanding and know that "Health Care" is just a point of attention that these political types put out so that the masses can focus on something important (wink) while they go behind close doors and do their thing. Wake up America the Great. We do not need a government to tell us what to do but to protect our borders and Americans living or traveling abroad. That's why we are great! That's why we'll stay great! Freedom. Don't Tread On Me!
Posted By mannyT, Miami, FL

Posted: Jan 25, 2010
The Day of Change
I have mad at the dragged out lengths it has taken to form a health care system that would be affordable for all. Oh. and maybe save money because profit and CEO bonuses would not stand in the way. If we had a majority vote it would have passed months ago. Now people are angry at the ugliness of buying votes and corporations spending fortunes to prevent health care delivery and regulation. The Republicans love it because they as I write are forming a deficit commission aimed to destroy social security and medicare so we will have to pay for over 3 trillion in national debt from their last experiment in power, enriching tax cuts to the rich and an immoral war never paid for and for wall street mischief costing a near depression. So people are angry and won't vote, or protest because wall street passes out bonuses while workers have no job. And the health care we voted for in 2008 is being whitled down just like people's patience. Beware Rep. and Dems that is the MA. message!
Posted By Anonymous, San Antonio, TX

Posted: Jan 25, 2010
Maybe, Maybe Not
I would agree with Rabbi, however President Obama is not about the American people, he is about an agenda that does not care about anything other than his political survival. Let not your mind be glazed over to think that a American leader who is not 100% behind Israel as an ally or the People of G-d cares only about anything other than his own political agenda.
Posted By mannyT, Miami, FL

Posted: Jan 25, 2010
Agree, Leah
The republicans have had 100 years to bring healthcare to this country and have steadfastly refused. Their agenda is power and greed, period.
Posted By Sherry Libby, Garland, TX

Posted: Jan 23, 2010
Not a Great Day for President Obama
I really don't understand how you came to this conclusion. The Democrats couldn't get the job done before they lost this seat. The Republicans are just not going to work with the Democrats. The R's will not let President Obama accomplish anything this important. I am neither R or D - I am an Independent, but I have watched the R's doing everything in their power to defeat the health care reform. So I just don't think you are correct - but it is your vote.
Posted By leah

Posted: Jan 23, 2010
very interesting I will take that to heart.
Posted By Nathan Racher, Indianapolis, IN


 



By Naftali Silberberg   More by this authors...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
Rabbi Naftali Silberberg resides in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife Chaya Mushka and their three children.

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