A Mighty Wind

Every once in a while, a mighty wind blows.

The political sentiments now storming America in the form of support for Barack Obama are a mighty wind indeed. For those trying to say this is all just hot air, it's time to point out that so is a windstorm. And storms have a function, in nature and in us. They blow away everything not built on a firm foundation, and make room for a lot of new growth.

I'm a boomer, so I know this feeling. We have been here before. We knew what Bob Dylan meant when he sang, "Something's going on here, but you don't know what it is....Do you, Mr. Jones?" And something is going on again. What we're experiencing here is a new conversation -- something qualitatively different than the promises of effective problem-solving that pass for an excitement factor in his opponent's campaign.

Try to dismiss it though she might, someone who has the capacity to change a society's conversation has the capacity to change the society. From Bob Dylan to Gloria Steinem to John Lennon to Martin Luther King, Jr., people who use words to foster new thinking are the ones we see in retrospect to have opened doors to a better world. Hillary was right when she said Dr. King couldn't have passed Civil Rights legislation without Lyndon Johnson, but Johnson couldn't have done it without King, either. Johnson had the presidency, but King had the vision. Today we have the historic opportunity -- one that comes around only rarely -- to have president and visionary be the same person.

A great national leader does not speak just to circumstances; he arouses a nation's soul. The idea that Obama could not only arouse our soul but also handle our circumstances (has he not handled a pretty formidable circumstance already, giving her such a run for her money?) seems far more probable to me than that Hillary could not only handle our circumstances but also arouse our soul.

Jefferson. Lincoln. Roosevelt. Kennedy. Damn right, their words mattered. Try Googling "great speeches" and see what comes up. Great words and great speeches have changed the world because they have changed the way we see the world.

Washington-think is so old-fashioned, so treat-the-symptom-and-pretend-you-healed-the-disease, protect-the-status-quo type of stuff that millions gave up on it a long time ago as an agent of true social improvement. But while few of us are looking to the American government to save the world, we'd prefer that it not destroy it either. Obama was right when he said that we have to do more than just end the war in Iraq; we need to end the mindset that produced it.

At the end of World War II, in the last speech he ever wrote yet died before having a chance to deliver, President Franklin Roosevelt said, "We must do more than end war. We must end the beginnings of all war." The source of the debacle in Iraq was not an event; it was a mindset. The source of our environmental problems was not an event; it was a mindset. The source of every problem is the mindset that preceded it. And only someone who can speak to the source of a problem can eradicate its roots.

The ability to inspire new thinking is a more important ability in a leader today, than simply being a "problem-solver." We're always trying to solve something.... solve health care...solve the economy... solve social security, and so forth. Yet according to Carl Jung, our most important problems cannot be solved; they must be outgrown. Just figuring out who has a better plan with which to treat the symptoms of a problem is not the one who ultimately solves it. What we need is someone with a better state of mind, who will lead us to a better state of ours.

Being swept up in Obama's inspirational ability is not naïve; thinking inspirational ability doesn't count for much, is in fact naïve. For in the ability to inspire lies the ability to command the most powerful forces of all. No plan, no piece of legislation, no Washington strategy or political maneuvering will alone be enough to change the probability vector of America's future. For that, we will need a mighty wind. And a mighty wind now blows.

Comments

[Guitarsandmore]

Here's hoping Obama can keep up his level of energy and continue to inspire and unite the world through passive acts of peace, mindful thinking, creative environmental solutions, universal healthcare, economic prosperity,etc.

I wish I could share your optimism Marriane, but I am not feeling it right now.

[mmerose]

O mgosh. Didn't you plagiarize that theme?

Joking aside, yes, yes, it's the mindset thing! Clinton's war votes express the same old martial mindset. Clinton brainchild the DLC expresses the same old government by and for the corporations mindset. Clinton's rallying idea, vote for me because I can, reflects the same old Washington insider mindset. Her supporters love to proclaim, Hillary never quits. She refuses to acknowledge she made a mistake in voting to trust George Bush to do the right thing in a matter of War. Isn't that the same old George Bush mindset, never admit you made a mistake, never quit?

How is she going to be able to even conceive of change
from within that mental framework? All the expertise in gaming the system in the world only leads down the same old road if there's no vision of other possibilities.

As faded as our poor old Democracy is, a change-minded president with a big vote majority and popularity behind him will still have infinitely more ability to get things done than any uninspired political mechanic, no matter how cunning.

Especially when the vote he gets out will enhance the number of like-minded legislators and other officeholders across the country who get elected with him.

I am not sure that one reason the original "experience" argument of Clinton didn't turn into any mighty wind behind her back is the absorption into the public mindset of the TV program The West Wing. Week in and week out for years, a lot of people were exposed to the idea of an idealist college professor in the White House getting things done with the help of his doughty STAFF.

Now the Clinton campaign wants to appeal to the shadow minds of voters to somehow gain the upper hand. Too much talent, too much charisma, doesn't it make you feel jealous, and smaller. Vote for me, I won't be so threatening.

Ugh. I can see why it's hard for her to get the concept of a graceful withdrawal, though. That would be change.

[TommyMcCarthy]

Well, when I saw the title of the piece, there could be no doubt WHO it would be about.....­..........­..........­..........­......tm

[ehemingway]

Why is it that whenever people like Marianne Wiliamson, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Tony Robinson try to light up the sky with the light of their consciousness, there are always those who will put them down?

We've been put down enough in this country. The times call for visionaries who can lead. If Obama is that person, he'll be elected. If by some miracle Hillary defeats him, do you think she is so stupid as to not surround herself with the most brilliant advisors while she does what she is good at?

The democratic party does itself great harm by bickering while the GOP gets ready for November.

[Selam]

Excellent post! Understanding the cause of the problem is more important than find a solution, and Hillary has been part of the problem when it comes to war in Iraq. She said that she will bring the troops home within 60 days but those are just words.

She voted, Yes, for the war to show her masculinity that is not just a word – it is an action that killed thousands of people in both sides. NAFTA (Clinton’s legacy) are not just words – it was an action, and so many people lost their jobs.

In the 21st century, great speeches & dialogues are better than guns -- they save lives and resources, and that is the only guarantee for America’s future. I’m looking for someone who can save lives here and abroad, and I truly believe that Obama is that person. It is undeniable, so people are coming back to politics which is hopeful but I hope that all the working class people, immigrants, and women come together and fight for their interest, and Obama is the best allied to have in the White House.

[Dandy12]

Speaking of wind... And I thought you were talking about John McCain (just kidding)! I say, If you love Bush, you'll like McCain". I also think McCain ought to be travelling in a balloon christened "The Hot Air Express" or maybe trying to duplicate Verne's journey, Around the World in 80 Days.

I think "the somethings happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear" was Buffalo Springfield. Of course, McCain should know, "You don't need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows" - Bob Dylan. And another appropriate Dylan quote, "The pump don't work cause the vandal took the handle", and add "The times they are a changin"! The times are a changin and the wind sure ain't blowin in his direction (thank God!). I sort of enjoy listening to Jon Kay (Steppenwolf's)
"Monster" with themes that seem valid and appropriate.

MCain is like an old codger hitch hiking on Route 66 Revisited. His expression in approaching an understanding of the 21st Century is like someone undergoing massive electroconvulsive Future Shock. He just doesn't get any of it...

[energiaeinformazione]

Wonderful post! Thank You!

[CookieWrites]

Marianne please tell us this: Have you personally met him and conversed with him about issues or ideas or something? The reason I ask, in the context of decades of my respecting you, not all inspirational orators would make a good president. So beyond his poetic speaking, what ideas is he coming up with to improve our society? Or are you just seeing him from afar? Thank you.

[lynnn]

Okay I have talked to him, and I have seen him answer town hall question, very hard ones about specifics and about how you bring people together.....The AP was there, they just never report when he does (it ruins media framing). The best video is the 49 minute Reno Gazette interview. I believe it's still on their web page. Go watch that.

[BluGrrl]

Excellent post, Marianne, thank you.

[altohone]

Everybody needs to remember, that electing Obama is just the first step.

We can't go back to shopping once he's elected if we want him to succeed.

He will need constant support, and those who seek to prevent change will require millions of voices raised whenever they try to erect roadblocks. We can't allow the GOP to define his mandate.

[lynnn]

YES! YOU ARE 100% on that one.


Phase I nomination
Phase II GE
Phase III -the Era of WE the people returns, holding the feet to the fire.

[Researchguy66]

Now that's just an unfortunate choice of title...but it is funny.

[Countess]

Beautiful! Thank You!

[soylentgreenleftovers]

Well put....however I am afraid the mighty wind might be that constant hot gust blowing in from Mark Penn's corner office.

[Myrrhis]

In that case it's a different sort of wind entirely. Know if Penn eats much cabbage?