Effecting Change We Can Believe In

Easier said than done, and isn't that always so? Reality intervenes to upset projected anticipation of effecting changes that appear so reasonably possible in theory, but prove so unreasonably impractical in real life. Everyone has a solution to problems ranging from the mundane to the complex. As long as they're onlookers, and aren't involved in the day-to-day hands-on manipulations attempting to come to terms with the complex issues of reality.

It's the essence of campaign promises, to point out where political competitors' predecessors have gone wrong, and to convey the message to the voting public that whatever ails the social system, the economy, international relations, can be speedily re-adjusted. No problem, folks. Trust is what will get you to where you want to be. So trust us, we can deliver. If it's change you want, and hope for the future, watch us dig in and dig out.

This is not necessarily a symptom of a political huckster, a hollow charlatan, it's just that from the outside looking in everything seems simple. It's only when one takes political office that the various, problem-impeding complexities come to light and present as puzzles to be solved when pieces have gone missing. That's when the back-pedaling comes into play, and when promise gives way to pragmatism.

It's a tough lesson, but it's also a growing experience. Growing into the responsibilities of public office. Sorry folks, no other way. Everyone learns on the job in this profession. So President Barack Obama, while decrying the ineptitude of his predecessor has discovered that the way taken occasionally was the only response situations allowed. While disparaging methods taken to ensure safeguarding the security of the country and its citizens, back to square one.

Military tribunals reinstated. Guantanamo reinstated. The Military Commissions Act reinstated. Some of those incarcerated in Guantanamo may have to be held there on an indefinite basis - to protect the security of the United States. Photographs of American forces' abuse of foreign detainees released as per promise? Not such a good idea; the backlash quite unacceptable.

Solving the financial meltdown hasn't been as simple as releasing massive amounts of the treasury to the financial institutions that created the crisis. Don't even think about that mountain of debt; the future will look after itself. That huge infrastructure stimulus still waiting to get off the ground, creeping toward shovel-ready. The headaches brought on by buying into vehicle manufacturing still pounding and not much resolved.

Massive amounts of foreign aid given to Pakistan to battle the Taliban? Somehow finding its way into funding new nuclear installations and the manufacture of modernized, upgraded nuclear bombs. Persuading Syria to play nice with Iraq and close its borders to the infusion of jihadists in exchange for oil refining resulting in Syria pledging an alliance with Iraq and opening its border to an increase in terrorists.

But then there's always good old Israel, reliable partner-in-war against global terror. Israel can be pressured into doing the right thing. Sitting back, relaxing, not aggravating itself about the existential threat posed by Iran, until the U.S. has had its opportunity to flog diplomacy into the ground. Good old resilient Israel. Suddenly recalcitrant, not so ready for a two-state solution with neighbours quietly complicit with Iran.

Life can be such a bitch.