I like Rich Lowry. I tend to agree with his conservative analysis of issues at many levels, though not entirely. But one thing I find him to consistently be is penetratingly insightful. As anyone who has deeply considered what they believe and why they believe it (a virtue of itself in a Democracy, whatever one’s ideology), he uses his own awareness of and confidence in his outlook to measure that of others.
And so, I take not when Lowry sees “exceptionally brazen sophistry” in the difference between Obama’s clear knowledge of health care and his incoherent answers to the most probing questions against his plan:
Asked at his press conference about his frequent reassurances that people will get to keep their current insurance, Obama reached for wiggle room. He explained that the government won’t “make you change plans.” Well, one is thankful for little things. But Obama implicitly left open the possibility that his reform will tilt the system so that employers, on their own, unload their coverage. Which is exactly the problem, and why Obama’s reform threatens private insurance.Only if Obama successfully obfuscates this point will he get his public option. Otherwise, the chances of his big-bang change to the American health system radically diminish.
Obamacasting is the hypothesis (not a conclusion!!) that I am testing that posits a purposeful gap between the President’s popular rhetoric and his unpopular (if people would take the time to consider them carefully) decisions. I am not attempting to go beyond the bounds of objective analysis and offer any moral critique about this, or at least as little as possible. I want Obama to succeed in his Constitutionally-defined task, though I did not vote for him. I find him thoroughly appealing on many levels, and a great sign of our civil rights achievements in America.
But as a leader in the present time, I am concerned his agenda and his popularity diverge along different paths, that if he unveiled his entire progressive agenda with full transparency, his popularity as a person (or persona) may dissipate quickly. Again, this is a hypothesis I am testing over time. And the present health care issue is one that we all need to give our full attention with this kind of careful, dispassionate analysis.
For we should know from all the events this week, that we do not really know famous people, as much as we think we do because their words or life story or performances resonate with us so deeply. For our children’s sake especially, we should not allow ourselves to be taken in by any of these people society elevates. We should not forget the historical lessons embodied in our founding documents that recognize man as dignified by the imago dei but fallen and thus a potential tyrant if given too elevated a position.
Because I want Obama to be successful, I do not want him to be idolized without the careful scrutiny he needs to keep his fallenness in check. We have the opportunity to be true friends to our President in ways I wish we could have to Michael Jackson. Obama is not an unaccountable pop icon. He is a very accountable political leader, and out of love for him we should trust but verify all his words against his actions. As our spouses, family members and best friends do for us.
You feeling me, my friends who adore our President? This is not hate. It is love.
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