The Obama Paradigm

This commentary is by no means in support of or against Barack Obama or any other presidential candidate or party. It is merely a contemplative assessment of the political parody in general; offering a perspective that is infrequently discussed and largely ignored by mainstream outlets…….for obvious reasons.

Barack Obama has been steadily emerging as a "crowd favorite" since his keynote address in the Democratic National Convention in 2004; a status recently confirmed in the Iowa caucus on January 3rd, 2008.

But what is it about a political pundit that creates a “celebrity-like” – almost Rock Star - appeal? Is it the personal magnetism of the incumbent himself; is it the public's hunger and want for something “hopeful” in the face of hopelessness; or is it something much deeper and involved?

I think that it’s all of the above, but especially, the latter.

When you have a situation to where the majority of the world populace is frustrated and disgruntled with the figurehead on one side of the coin (the Bush administration), and you have a growing number of immigrants and minorities (i.e. African Americans, Hispanics, etc.) who almost monolithically vote Democratic - not to mention a voting "young" population (i.e. college students) who are more open-minded, tolerant, and less conservative than previous generations - the "controllers-of-the-coin" (i.e. Big Businesses, financiers, bankers, oil companies, etc.) need to put forth or support someone who can represent those ideals in the form of opposition to the current status quo (aka "playing both sides of the field").

Enter: Barack Obama.

Barack is young, charismatic, new, and of mixed ethnicity; and, as a result, has the ability to galvanize the minds and interests of minorities and young people in large numbers; both of which are critical forces in the tides of power. This is a big contrast to what has historically occupied the Whitehouse. Articulation and charisma clearly separates him from the current, notwithstanding, his likable and magnetic nature. All of which are “Aces-in-the-Hole” for any politician as it relates to perception.

He is the personification of change; however, NOBODY makes it into the political arena – particularly in a role of power and influence - without the approval of the "controllers-of-the-coin"; regardless of charisma, ESPECIALLY if their political history barely spans a couple of eloquent speeches and photo-ops.

Truthfully speaking, ones “political history” has little relevance in identifying his ability to lead, but rather, chronicles his ability to create alliances and profits, out of which a boss is appointed (emphasis on the word “boss”). There are distinct differences between a “boss” and a “leader”. The former has only to satisfy those above him to retain his position; the latter’s position is at the assertion of his followers, whom of which he inspires.

The past few elections and appointments have proven that our political structure – a so-called Democracy - is better equipped at churning out bosses more so than leaders.

Therefore, if the "controllers-of-the-coin" didn't see any use for Obama, he would have been discredited and dismissed a long time ago based on lack of experience alone, regardless of how factual this may or may not be.

In a nation where racism is still very much a real phenomenon; a festering sore where the social and racial lines of demarcation are still very prominent everywhere - particularly in the South - it is difficult to imagine and accept that Americans have matured enough to accept an African American as its leader when it has yet to accept them as their equal.

However, unlike other black or minority leaders, Obama has an uncanny ability to attract both sides of the fence, and this is a VERY attractive and useful talent for those who are really in power (i.e. the “controller-of-the-coin”).

Obama’s ability to come off as “less political” and “more personable” than his contemporaries is tantamount……particularly in a time when the word “politics” is synonymous to “lies”, “deceit”, and “corruption”, and when people are losing their faith in the political structure altogether, virtually begging for that last glimmer of hope; another ideal that Obama has come to personify.

“Hope” is always a necessary good; but absent of inspiration, it serves only to be a longing; an awaited, unfulfilled desire that seeks gratification from something outside of itself……..whereas inspiration assumes the responsibility itself for its own end.

Hope without inspiration is “helplessness”; and in such a state we become gullible – almost desperate - to any tongue that can stir our hopes and direct our actions without us taking the personal responsibility to reform the very structure in which it stands and breathes; a void that government has always capitalized on, however, I digress.

A path is being laid for Barack Obama, and either way, he will go far in his campaign and career........at least as long as he remains useful (kind of like Ron Brown, Colin Powell, Bin Laden, and Sadam Hussein) to the powers behind the puppets.

But regardless of how genuine and charismatic he or any other pundit may be, they still must work within the "good ol' boy network" (government), which is an institution that is fueled by corruption and conspiracy that has always used minorities and well-meaning personalities in order to galvanize some self-interest, positing Obama to be an ideal “Trojan Horse".

Someone will eventually be in control as President.....but who will control the "Presidency"? There are distinct differences between the two, and the sooner we realize this, the sooner that we, the people, will be able to avert a repeat of the situations and circumstances that the current administration has gotten us into. In other words, more importantly than new Presidents, we need new Precedence.

“So soon as a nation discovers that it holds in the heads and hearts of its individual citizens the vast mine of knowledge, out of which it may build a just government, then, more and more, it calls those citizens to select their rulers and to judge the justice of their acts.” – W.E.B. Du Bois



Tungz