This Awful Thing Called Ideology

I felt slightly out of place as I walked through the crowded streets of Washington, D.C. Everyone seemed to be wearing some sort of Obama paraphernalia. In metro stations, waiting passengers spontaneously started cheering and chanting “O-ba-ma! O-ba-ma!” All I could do was stand awkwardly next to them and watch their bold enthusiasm.

I’m not a big fan of big crowds, and I usually avoid them at all costs. I had planned to watch the inauguration at Columbia and not miss the first day of classes or stand in the cold for eight hours. However, when my friend David called me with tickets to the inauguration ceremony, I just couldn’t say no.

I came to the inauguration with mixed feelings. A supporter of John McCain, I couldn’t help but wish that a different senator were taking the oath of office. Yet I felt compelled to witness this landmark day in American history. For me, someone who on occasion cries when the national anthem is played, witnessing the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States held strong emotional appeal.

I was therefore willing to overcome my dislike for crowds, and I was looking forward to standing among more than a million joyous Americans. Even though I might not share their overt enthusiasm for Barack Obama, I hoped to be caught up in the optimism of their spirit.

Despite some of the subtle or sometimes not-so-subtle digs at the Bush administration, I did find much of President Obama’s speech inspiring.

When President Obama proclaimed that our country would meet our many real and serious challenges and succeed, I felt reassured. When he spoke of responsibility, I applauded and felt ideologically included. When he spoke of the strength of the American spirit and with certitude said to the terrorists, “We will defeat you,” I felt like my new commander in chief would protect me. While standing in front of our stately Capitol, I felt proud of how far our country has come since the days of slavery, of Jim Crow laws, of segregation—a time when Obama’s father might not have been seated at a restaurant.

The crowd cheered loudly as Obama boldly proclaimed: “On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.” Perhaps the gathered masses were ready to put Obama’s soaring rhetoric into action. Or perhaps not.

This is the same crowd that booed when Justice Thomas was shown on the Jumbo-tron, laughed when former Vice President Cheney came out in a wheel chair, and sang “hey, hey, hey, good-bye” and yelled “adios” when former President Bush was announced for the final time in his presidency.

Will Obama really usher in a new era of change and eliminate the atmosphere where “petty grievances” rule? I don’t think my grievances towards his brand of liberalism are petty. I don’t think conservatives think their objections to his stances on the economy and abortion are petty.

It’s easy to tell people to stop arguing over petty grievances when your party is the one in control. It’s easy to call grievances petty when you don’t agree with them. Now that the Democrats are in control, all of a sudden it’s wrong to oppose the party in power? I’m as proud of America as I was before Nov. 4, and that pride is not conditional upon a member of my political party holding our highest office. I didn’t vote for President Obama, but I’m not going to threaten to move to Canada now that he is in power.

One of the biggest applause-getters was this seemingly harmless statement: “The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works.” Obama is asking us to take a leap of faith, to believe that his plans will work and be above this awful thing called ideology. I am inclined to disagree.

Liberals have relentlessly criticized President Bush for sacrificing liberty for temporary safety and using fear tactics to bully Democrats into voting for the Patriot Act, warrantless wiretapping, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. But isn’t it fear tactics that are being used to push through an alleged economic stimulus of enormous proportions? (‘Pass the stimulus or unemployment will rise to 10 percent.’) Economic freedom is inexorably linked to political freedom. By racking up a huge deficit for a stimulus that may not work, we are taking away the choices of future generations who will be paying off our massive debt. By raising taxes, we are taking away the right of individuals to decide what to do with the money they earn.

Don’t expect anyone to give up his ideals for the sake of political unity.

Differences of opinion, however, do not preclude me from giving you my respect and trust, President Obama. I wish you the best. I’m going to hope for the best and give your presidency the chance it deserves.

Lauren Salz is a Barnard College sophomore. She is the executive director of the College Republicans and the communications coordinator of the Columbia Political Union. Check Your Premises runs alternate Wednesdays. Opinion@columbiaspectator.com