Dare to hope

By JENNIFER CANFIELD

Maybe it’s me. Maybe there’s a whole lot out there that I just don’t understand. Maybe we are all too tired and stressed to look behind the scenes at what is happening to our country. After swearing I wouldn’t, I’ve tuned in to the politics of the presidential race.

I’ve returned to caring about government and what’s right and wrong with America. For a long time, I had given up hope that we could make a difference by watching, venting and getting involved. Now, I sense this little ray of sunshine and breath of fresh air. It has drawn me to issues like a moth to a flame. I’ve started watching the debates, CNN and anything that Bill Moyers and Charlie Rose can offer us. I’ve realized it’s not too late to learn and become a part of what is good about our country. It’s actually okay to believe in and support someone with fresh ideas. Notice, I didn’t say “someone with all the answers.” From it all, the message I’m getting loud and clear is that one person is brave enough to stand up for the changes that need to be made in our government, and is bright and articulate enough to lead us in a direction.

Recently, Katie Comic asked the candidates which book, other than the Bible, they, if elected, would bring with them to the White House. I liked Mike Huckabee’s answer. But I liked Barack Obama’s better. Barack chose “Team of Rivals” by Doris Goodwin. It is a biographical account of Abraham Lincoln’s decision to chose, for his own cabinet, people who were his opponents and rivals. He dared to trust and he dared to hope that, together, they could draw on their differences for one common cause: forging ahead to uphold our Constitution and our sacred union.

A while back, I read another book, “White Roots of Peace: The Iroquois Book of Life,” by Paul A. W. Wallace. I was stunned to learn of Deganawidah, “The Peacemaker,” who so bravely brought the warring nations and tribes together to form the Iroquois Confederacy. That was 500 years ago. Its huge impact on our Constitution and Bill of Rights is seldom acknowledged anywhere today. I daresay many do not have that courage to go face to face with brutal enemies, nor the courage to admit they could find a better way. I think Mr. Lincoln probably knew about it and put this wisdom to the test.

I have heard Barack Obama say that he would be willing to have a dialogue with friend and foe alike. His opponents disagree with this. In a country and a world so torn apart by differences, willingness to come together is a crucial first step toward peace. The chiefs of the Six Nations knew that they had differences. But they were willing to come together in a Confederacy that would stand up for generations after them. We could learn a lot from them.

I have a feeling we could learn a lot from Obama. I dare to hope.