A couple of hours ago, as I watched our new President be inaugurated and listened to his stirring speech that harkened back to Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln among others, I was struck by the enormity of the work yet to be performed by Mr. Obama and the American people. The whole tenor of the Obama campaign and the speech this morning was about "change", ostensibly for the positive: a new era of cooperation, a new modus operandi for government, the building of new infrastructure, the creation of new jobs and opportunity, a new approach to health care etc. etc. ; all in all a very forward-looking and optimistic presentation.

While all of the projects mentioned are, of course, worthy goals, I had to shake my head as I wondered if anyone, including Mr. Obama, has any idea at all, just how all of this is going to be accomplished. I tried hard to shake off my usual pall of cynicism and negativity with regard to government and adopt the unbridled optimism espoused by Mr. Obama and the millions of inaugural attendees.

But, I couldn't. 

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm afraid just getting the questions on the table will take the whole four years and the cloud of cronyism, obstructionism, and general lack of cooperation on the part of the Congress will dilute any positive programs put forth beyond recognition. In fact, it's already started. On the same day that Mr. Obama was taking the oath of office, Rep. Cornyn of, where else, Texas, was blocking the Senate vote on Hillary Clinton's confirmation as Secretary of State. And so it goes.

Anyway, if anyone can provide me with some reason to accede to the wave of euphoria that is running rampant through the populace, I'd truly love to feel really, really, good right along now. So here's hoping!!