The Journey of a Dream

I saw this picture (sans the translation) in my Facebook feed today. The creator of this picture wanted to convey congratulations to the most powerful man on the planet. Observe the way he tried to do it. Observe the close personal sentiment that is demonstrated. I have seen positive sentiments overwhelmingly prevalent after Obamas reelection; indeed, Boston is overwhelmingly liberal and there was no dearth of congratulations being offered to Obama after he successfully re-clinched the presidency. The most unusual, most unexpected congratulations, I guess is this one. Coming out from just another guy from the state of Maharashtra, India. A guy who most probably will never be affected directly by Obamas Reelection and subsequently, his policies. Also, I generally have never observed much interest in American elections as far as it goes in Maharashtras or Indias cultural Zeitgeist, but this time there was a stark difference. The Globe, just like Maharashtra actually celebrated his reelection. It goes to show more on how much the world appreciates the absence of George W. Bush and his policies. Even the most vituperative of Obamas critics will have to concur that theres something about the guy. There is not just something different because of course. He is Americas first black president. He is the wonder child. Hes the ultimate poster boy for the American dream and a Testament to American diversity and acceptance. For a country that till 50 years ago had Segregation, I must say, Not Bad. He, for a change gives off an air of a calm intellect and poise which is an extremely welcome change after

what seemed like an eternity of the American Administration being stuck in Yeehaw mode. He is a symbol of resilience in the face of incessant, often racist attacks from the American Right-Wing machine. The liberals in this country seem pretty satisfied with the work that hes done, as they maybe should. He has done a pretty decent job on controlling the great recession, ending a decade of war, introducing healthcare reform, repealing dont-ask-dont-tell, support of gay marriage, and bringing in immigration reform. Indeed he was, as Bill Maher put in his inimitable fashion, The maid after Led Zeppelin had been in the room. But as a Progressive, I feel he still remains woefully lacking. When Obama came into office, the world was reeling from a global recession, the likes of whose wasnt seen on a global scale. The insatiable greed of Wall Street and the extremely corrupt influence of the super wealthy like the Koch Brothers and Corporations like Goldman Sachs on the American political process was one of the main reasons why we were in this mess. The Supreme Courts decision to uphold Citizens United and allow basically unlimited money into politics and the Wholesale Purchase of American Senators was another major factor. Obama had promised us campaign finance reform. He has delivered none. Not a single financial criminal CEO on Wall Street who caused this global collapse has been prosecuted, let alone convicted. He has been tougher on Medical Marijuana dispensaries and users than Bush was. He passed the NDAA which basically gives him the power of executing American citizens abroad without trial, which he has. Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, a 16 year old American kid was killed in a Drone strike. It was a Signature Strike, which means that we didnt know who we are executing before we launched the missile. Obama has used more drone strikes that George W. Bush. He has been and is using them extensively in Pakistan and Yemen. Not just the strike, the military now also indulges in double tap where the people who rush for aid for the civilians injured after the drone strike are bombed again. It shocks me that the leader of the civilized world has and does maintain a Kill List. So much for Change we can Believe in. I am glad that Obama won, the alternative would have been disastrous. There was a standing joke in the international community that if Romney were to win we will have to pack our bags. Romneys victory would have negated all of what Obamas victory in 2008 had achieved. It would have spelled victory that superstitiously loony, old-school, Ultra-Conservative, warmongering part of the country who just claim to stand for traditional values or American Exceptionalism or returning the country to its true owners. It would have rung a death knell for Climate change activists and Supporters of Gay rights and womens reproductive rights. It would have indicated to me that I am not welcome here. Not just as a visiting student or an aspiring citizen, but a person whos not exactly similar to the countrys winning ideology/desired ethnicity. It would have meant an extension of the same policies that led America to this mess, but even more right-wing than what they were. No sane person wants to live through that once again. And I am glad that the American people indicated as much.

- MANGESH NANOTI
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