A Campaign of Acknowledgement and Appreciation

By Paul McGowan, Resident of York, Maine

I  invite you to join us in launching a campaign.

I watched the President’s State of the Union Address back in January, listened to all the media pundits with their criticisms and reservations and then watched the President’s exchange at the Republican retreat on U Tube. I am struck by how hard this guy is working, how he treats people who oppose him with respect and how tired he looked at times. I am also struck by the integrity he exhibits time and again as he struggles to lead us in an enormously challenging, complex and demanding time. I am also impressed with the depth of knowledge and understanding he has about such a broad range of issues and concerns. I am aware of the incredible scrutiny he is under and how every position he takes, person he hires and policy he supports is under the same intensive scrutiny.

On Sunday the culmination of his leadership on health insurance reform legislation was realized with the successful vote after a very difficult battle with the Republicans and within the Democrats within the House of Representatives. His perseverance and determination was critical.

As I think about the hard work and dedication of our President I am reminded of a Machivelli quote, “There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new”.

As I take all of this in, I wonder what I or we can do to help. The thought that came to mind for me was what if we simply acknowledged and expressed appreciation for what he has achieved and aspires to do. What would it do to this toxic political environment of never ending scrutiny, criticism and attacks if we organized a public campaign to express our appreciation for his daily courage, tenacity and perseverance focused on trying to lead us towards addressing really difficult problems in a very difficult time? What if we used all the amazing tools at our fingertips such as video, the internet, texting, twitter, the media, etc. to say thank you Mr. President for working so hard to help us become a better nation?

Let’s express our appreciation for what he has already done like demonstrating that the people in this country were willing to elect a man President regardless of the color of his skin or his family’s prominence. Let’s thank him for showing us in his campaign that when millions of people donate to a cause they can overcome the deep pockets of corporations and the wealthy. Let’s thank him for restoring respect for the government of our nation around the world. Let’s express our appreciation for his leadership in preventing a collapse of our financial system. Let’s acknowledge the personal sacrifice he and his family are making to dedicating themselves to our nation.  Let’s thank him for committing our nation to withdraw from Iraq and closing Guantanamo prison. Let’s thank him for his tenacity in historic health insurance reform.

What would it mean if hundreds, maybe thousand or even millions of people chose to raise their voices and say we have noticed what you are trying to do, that you are causing us to at least focus on the important issues, that you are working very hard every day to help us improve this nation? What would it mean to him and to all the others who are working so hard if we created a campaign to acknowledge and express our appreciation?

I am asking you to join us in our efforts to be a catalyst for such a campaign.

Join us on Sunday, March 28th at Inn on the Blues to help launch this campaign.