Great Expectations

There can be no doubt that Tuesday’s inauguration, with an expected attendance of 3 million viewers (ten times more than the previous one), of President-Elect Barack Obama is a landmark moment for the United States. His inaugural address is perhaps one of the most highly anticipated political speeches in modern American history. So, be sure to tune in tomorrow America. According to history, the most awe-inspiring inaugural speeches have been known to materialize during times of economic distress, and it's believed Barack will deliver just that. The sweeping election marks a significant step for race relations, removing what was an opaque glass ceiling. “The [white, privileged] President doesn’t know what I have been through” is no longer a reason for political apathy. President Obama will be the new model for all Americans as well as living proof that it does not matter how much money you have, what color your parents are, whether you have one parent at home or two, or where you grew up. A better life or change is possible, there are no limits to what is achievable.

"To all of us as adults, he will be the first black president, but for his kids and kids like mine from all different races and backgrounds, he will just be the President. They will not know a country that has never elected a black president, and so you won't grow up wondering whether or not this country is going to accept everyone at every position; you'll already know it."

Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor Washington, D.C.

I am not blind to the lofty expectations to which we have burdened Obama. He is expected to solve a war on two fronts, fix alienating foreign policy, a flailing economy, and a government that has spat on freedom for the sake of a bit of perceived security.

“He who trades liberty for security deserves neither and will lose both.”

President Thomas Jefferson

Heck, why not throw in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for good measure; ignoring the historical fact that it has been going on for years, let's go ahead and put that on his back as well. Despite the unrealistic prospect of completely solving such issues, Barack Obama is a smart, calculating and measured person who will [at least] provide forward momentum towards a solution. Again, he will not be able to do it overnight or even in the first term, policy has always proven to be two steps forward and one back. However, any advancement, as slight as it might be, is progress at this point. Additionally, Obama (among others) has been very clear that a change of this magnitude will take commitment from the entire country in order to turn things around.

"Ask NOT what your country can do for you,

ask what YOU can do for your country."

President John F. Kennedy

Those who lived in World War I and II remember sacrificing for their country, and you can expect come Tuesday that we will be asked to do the same. The change this country needs and deserves will require more than just putting a magnetic ribbon on your car.

That being said, we expect a certain amount of failure. It is impossible to deliver everything promised during a campaign. Obama is a pragmatist, who will certainly not be able to fully satisfy his far left supporters but may pleasantly surprise those on the far right (though FOX will never admit it). While skimming through his campaign promises, I've compiled a list (far from all-inclusive) of bare minimum expectations over the next four years:

Require new hires to deny cronyism

"Obama will issue an executive order asking all new hires at the agencies to sign a form affirming that no political appointee offered them the job solely on the basis of political affiliation or contribution."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

Try to toughen rules on animal feeding operations

"Barack Obama will work for tougher regulations on concentrated animal feeding operations to prevent air and water pollution."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

Implement payment limitation to help family farmers

"Obama will implement a $250,000 [farm comm] payment limitation so that we help family farmers, not large corporate agribusiness. Obama will close the loopholes that allow mega farms to get around the limits by subdividing their operations into multiple paper corporations."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

Clean up the Justice Department

"I will rid the department of ideologues and political cronies…the Civil Rights Division will actually be staffed with civil rights lawyers who prosecute civil rights violations, and employment discrimination, and hate crimes."—09/28/07, Washington D.C.

Advocate equal treatment of same sex couples

"As your president, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws."—02/28/08, Obama letter to LGBT Americans

Work to overturn Supreme Court's ruling in Ledbetter v. Goodyear

"Obama will work to overturn the Supreme Court's recent ruling that curtails racial minorities' and women's ability to challenge pay discrimination."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

Forgive school loans of public defenders

"We'll recruit more public defenders to the profession by forgiving college and law school loans."—9/28/07, Washington D.C.

End disparity in crack versus powdered cocaine sentencing

"That will end when I am president."—9/28/07, Washington D.C.

Combat methamphetamine use

"As president, he will continue the fight to rid our communities of meth and offer support to help addicts heal."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

Safeguard all nuclear material within four years

"I will lead a global effort to secure all nuclear weapons and material at vulnerable sites within four years."—4/23/07, Chicago

Ban torture

"When I am president, America will reject torture, without exception."—8/1/07, Washington D.C.

Combat terrorism

"Obama will fight terrorism and protect America with a comprehensive strategy that finishes the fight in Afghanistan, cracks down on the al Qaeda safe haven in Pakistan, develops new capabilities and international partnerships, engages the world to dry up support for extremism and reaffirms American values."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

Provide tuition assistance to students who perform community service

"And we will keep our promise to every young American -- if you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford a college education."—8/28/08, Denver

Reduce oil consumption

"Obama will reduce oil consumption overall by at least 35 percent, or 10 million barrels of oil, by 2030."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

Withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq

"I will begin to remove our troops from Iraq immediately. I will remove one or two brigades a month and get all of our combat troops out of Iraq within 16 months. The only troops I will keep in Iraq will perform the limited missions of protecting our diplomats and carrying out targeted strikes on al-Qaida."—10/02/07, Chicago

Expand U.S. forces in Afghanistan

"As president, I would deploy at least two additional brigades to Afghanistan to reinforce our counterterrorism operations and support NATO's efforts against the Taliban."—8/1/07, Washington