Why I Still Think About President Obama
Why I Still Think About President Obama
In a time when trust in leadership feels rare, I still find myself thinking about President Barack Obama — the last U.S. President I truly trusted to lead this country with integrity.
Tags: Politics, Leadership, Barack Obama, Integrity, Independent Voter, Democracy
I consider myself an Independent when it comes to voting. I’ve always believed that the United States’ heavy reliance on political parties and its “team-based” voting system has caused more harm than good over the past decade (but that’s a whole other post). I always vote for the person I believe is best for the job — no matter the party. Because of where I live and how politics works these days, that often means my vote doesn’t really count. But that’s okay with me. I vote my heart and my conscience. That’s how every citizen should vote.
Back to Mr. Obama
In today’s political climate — with everything going on in our country (political violence, a president who seems bent on ignoring the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and a Supreme Court that appears willing to let him) — Barack Obama was the last U.S. President I trusted.
What did he do to earn that trust? Just about everything. From day one, he gave me the feeling that he genuinely wanted to unite this country, top to bottom. He made honesty and integrity feel possible again. He cared about making sure everyone had access to healthcare, education, food, and clean water. He didn’t just talk about those things; he worked toward them.
He’s the last president I’ve truly trusted to lead my country.
Why That Still Matters
Even now, he’s come out of “hiding” (tongue firmly in cheek) to help rebuild some sense of direction and decency in his party — and, I think, in the country. He’s endorsed as many candidates as his conscience allows, and for those he can’t endorse, he’s offered to be a sounding board if they win. That’s integrity. That’s intelligence. That’s diplomacy in action.
Sure, his critics say his presidency promised more than it delivered. Maybe. But I believe he achieved a lot — and even when his ideals didn’t pan out, the fact that he had them still matters. His example continues to shine through some of the darkest political times I’ve seen. He can’t run again, but his steady dedication — his willingness to show up for this country without being in charge — says everything about who he is.
Michelle Obama and the Future
Some Democrats say Michelle Obama should run for president. I’ve read a lot about her, watched her interviews and speeches, and honestly?
More power to her.
If this post resonated with you, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear your perspective.
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