First, it was "Change you can believe in," a nice friendly bit of folderol that was no more scary than "I Like Ike." Heck, Bill Clinton used "It's Time to Change America" back in 1992, and he only scared a few Republicans.
But lately the slogan coming out of the Obama campaign is "We can save the world," which shows that some people can believe anything - and will - without the slightest provocation or evidence.
Now before any of Barack Obama's supporters light their torches and come after me, I want to point out that I am not making any of this up. That really is a slogan used by Obama's campaign - like it or not. I personally don't like it, and I don't see any reason why I should not say so. It seems to me the reason our country is in the mess it is in today is because too few people are willing to speak up and say what they believe. The golden rule today is "Go along to get along." Only trouble is we are not getting along.
I'll leave it to someone else to dig up evidence of the exact evolution of the Obama campaign's slogans, but from what I can tell, "We can save the world" actually started out as "We can change the world; we can save the planet," and then somewhere along the way it got shortened to the messianic trope that bedazzles soccer moms, high-powered execs, ghetto kids and seasoned politicians about equally.
I've been able to find references to it that date back as far as the Texas primary. A Time magazine story refers to "Obama… running Austin television ads that are vaguely Woodstockian with smiling faces and young, casually dressed supporters cheering and waving. 'We can save the world!' the graphic exclaims." (www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1715329,00.html)
I suppose in some respect it doesn't matter whether you are promising to save the planet or save the world. Either is overreaching, but offering to save the world also seems a bit, well, messianic. How could you vote against someone who can save the world? That silly Hillary just wants to give people universal health care. How can she possibly compete with a brazen promise of salvation?
But for those few people who still have their feet on the ground, a couple of questions - When exactly did politics become concerned with salvation? (I always thought that was the proper job of religion.) And how exactly do we save the world?
Of course, the idea is not new. Christians believe that Jesus arrived on the planet 2,000 years ago with the same mission, so we should not dismiss the idea out of hand. The question is: Do you want a politician doing the saving?
Oh sure, through the years there have been some charismatic candidates who have aroused something like religious fervor among their followers. Bobby Kennedy may have been the last of the serious candidates before Barack Obama to do so. William Jennings Bryan a hundred years ago apparently was quite a spell-binder as well, and was even something of a Bible thumper.
In other countries, with other systems, political leaders have used their personal charisma and rhetorical gifts to achieve great power. In the last century, many examples abound, most notably I suppose Hitler and Mao. In both cases, there were certainly those among their followers who may have mistaken powerful men for true avatars - gods who have descended to earth for a special purpose (usually mixed in with nationalistic agendas).
That kind of threat has never been a problem here. The common sense of the American people has so far guarded us against every threat of royalism and despotism starting with Aaron Burr, and it may well protect us again. There is no absolute certainty that Americans would blindly follow a charismatic leader into dangerous territory, but we should at least be aware of the possibility. Certainly, there is a strain of cultic thinking in America which occasionally leads us to such dead ends as Jim Jones and the Guyana Kool-Aid Massacre. People who will believe anything will do anything, and ultimately may be willing to die for anything.
No, I am not saying that Barack Obama is Jim Jones - or Mao - or Hitler. What I am saying is that the lessons of our past - our very recent past - are full of examples of what happens when people follow blindly a leader who they don't really know. After all, Hitler wasn't "Hitler" either when he was a 20-year-old art student. He only became "Hitler" because the German people allowed him to do so.
The American people have never been similarly fooled. Could you imagine anyone voting for Richard Nixon if his slogan had been "We can save the world"? Or what about Hillary Clinton? She would be locked up with 24-hour observation for exhibiting symptoms of megalomania if she tried to save the world! If John McCain said he was going to save the world, people would start building bomb shelters. But Obama's messianic fervor is dismissed as "change you can believe in."
It looks more and more like Obama will win the Democratic nomination (or anointing, which may be more appropriate in his case) so I would just encourage people to start thinking about whether or not they think salvation comes from slick-talking politicians or from God. If it is from God, you might start praying.
. Frank Miele is managing editor of the Daily Inter Lake and writes a weekly column. E-mail responses may be sent to edit@dailyinterlake.com
Bronco
Jesus believed epilepsy was caused by demon possession. His 'cure' was to cast out the demons. Now, through medical science, we know the facts: Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system, specifically the brain. And yet, many people believe that Jesus was God. So, for this so-called salvation, we are directed to pray to a god that doesn't understand his own creation. I think we have a better chance with Obama.
MontanaTrace
In Obama's own words Pay close attention to the last comment!! Below are a few lines from Obama's books. His own words: From Dreams of My Father: 'I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites.' From Dreams of My Father : 'I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mothers race.' From Dreams of My Father: 'There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white.' From Dreams of My Father: ; 'It remained necessary to prove which side you were on , to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names.' From Dreams of My Father: 'I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa , that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela.' From Audacity of Hope: 'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift
Habu
B Hussein O has reduced his entire campaign to a redux of the old Coke commercial, "We Are the World" complete with the swaying back and forth. Naturally we aren't the world, simply the most powerful ,benevolent country ever to grace the Earth (don't believe it just check out what we donate worldwide) He has no answers, avoids voting in the Senate like the plague, and contrary to bring us to gether has now, through his associations, tarred himself as the most potentially devisive President we've ever had. He's a hoax and a cheap empty suit. Of his wife, cherchez la femme.
joncarry
Why stop with our planet? Save the Universe! We are the change we have been waiting for! Obama! Obama! Obama! There, I feel better.
MontanaTrace
While Obama's alliances are becoming evident, the real dragon in the dark is his wife.
MontanaJim72
It's interesting that Frank says that the country is in the mess it is today because too few people will speak up and say what they believe. Yet when people spoke out against the war in Iraq, Bush called them unpatriotic, and said "you're either with us or against us". Of course, there is no question that the country is in the mess it mainly because of Bush and his unrealistic view of reality.
bimmermt
Interesting to read the comments. Those who don't like like blacks running for President will take any information and hang him with it. Read between the lines. Montanatrace and Habu, thank you for just laying it on the line. Others are not so obvious as they tend to speak covertly. Frank seems to think that God is the President, I guess. I am not sure where he was coming from. Once upon a time in America, we were the youth and wanted change (the need certainly existed). It is no different now. It is now the time for "us" to just shut up. We have f'ed up everything. Now we want to bring in our Panzerkumpfwagens and crush "their" dreams. Pass the cynicism...
bimmermt
And YES, I do think this is all about racism. SO, no need to even bring it up or accuse me of "playing the race card." Cause, I am. Blatantly!!!
MontanaTrace
bmt: Your comment is insulting. I would have voted for Powell if he was available. Race is not an issue for me, although it appears it is for you. My challenge is with Obama's and his wife's beliefs. Frank, you have built a playground for mental degenerates who monopolize this forum with their pseudo-intellect. Their enjoyment is just to re-read their own comments. "Look at me, I'm published." I won't waste my time here again. Tomorrow I will also pull my ads. Online news I'll read but I'll never click on your crappy comments link again. Let the bigots take over.
kyzer123
Here, Here Bimmermt it is about race and especially in MT. I have never met so many racist people in one area. McCain is senile, Hillary well lets not get started if she is willing to look the other way when her husband lies, and cheat (hell she even helped him try to cover it up) just imagine the crooked stuff that she would allow and be doing herself. Now to the writer of this article are we just suppose to sit back and let world continue on its downward spiral or should we try to change it. My god if you people cared for anything but your own the world would be a better place. Here in MT (I love this PLACE) you have the most uncourteiest peolpe ever!! Driving here is like playing russian roullette because every mt. driver thinks the roads were made just for them. Back to the topic, it is all about race at least here mt. Obama is the best candidate out of the 3, Ron Paul is a throw away vote!!! McCain well he aint got much time left so look to his VP, the man does not have all his marbles!!! Hillary
Bronco
Such political profundity and candor! Anyone recollect a presidency that followed campaign promises? No. They say what they think will get them the votes. McCain wants to continue spending $341 million a day to stay in Iraq till 2012 and insists upon alienating us from the rest of the world. Billary has the principles of a Jerry Springer guest. Obama may not be the perfect candidate, but of the three, I feel if I pin my hopes on him I won't be let down as far nor as fast. Not matter how you slice the watermelon, we're gonna get some seeds.
Woody
I am curious. Do you have an open primary in Montana? Or, are most of you angry because you will have no say in who the next President (the democratic nominee) will be. Republicans can thank themselves for the mess we are in and the snowball's chance in hell that their nominee will have. And, if John McCain insists on standing next to George Bush while he runs, why waste the paper to print ballots. It became obvious to me the the republicans knew who they had to fear most and when they went to attack him they found their quivers empty, so they did the only thing they could do, attack the people around Obama.
bimmermt
Rob, my ranting has little to do with left wing anything. I am not left wing. I am an observer of life. I listen to what is stated as well as what is not. Spent my entire life being forced to become the resident expert as all too often good ideas never came to fruition because of covert discrimination. Rob, within our short life spans, Blacks have just now become CITIZENS, with the right to vote without threats of life (Mississippi Burning). I am not bitter. I seem outraged when the moment is called for. Just don't write me off as an extreme left winger Rob, far from it.
bimmermt
First sentence Narra, no--- America is not the place to be if one is down
bimmermt
Narra, thank you for your thought out comments. We can talk about these issues in a humane manner. Once again, part of this is my fault, so I accept responsibility for my part. I have several comments concerning black women, poor people, or other less fortunate individuals. Walk a mile in their shoes is one. Number 2: Brain circuitry is a product of nature and nurture, with nurture taking a dominate lead role. Born into poverty? OR, born into wealth? OR, born into Middle Class? All will be raised as Capitalists? Get a job! Is that genetic? What happens to interrupted cell migration? How are patterns formed. Can we all grow up to be like you and me? Work, understand time lines, communicate with others, raise our children to be like we are? Think about this Narra. You are what you eat? You are what you want or should be? Indians should be Whites, God only knows that most Whites are better off.
bimmermt
And Narra, how you see life is not universal by any means. How can you say that angry black women do not see things as they really are? We look at the woman in the picture, she can quickly change from young to old. It is our perception. There is no right or wrong Narra. Life is not fair, right? Well, if it is not fair, then who gets the shi_ end of the stick? And why? They just choose to be poor in the land of milk and honey? We are a hard people and all too often lack empathy at times of need toward others.