Beware Mr. Obama. You will be held to a higher standard than any other President in American history. Not because of the financial markets or the crisis it has created in unemployment. Throughout America's history, people of color (see, I can be politically correct) have been held to higher standards.
Doesn't make any difference whether you are African-American (Black, Negro or those other words), Chinese or Japanese. Those groups always had to be better to get recognized. How good did Jackie Roibinson have to be to get recognized as a ball player good enough to play on "white" teams? How good did Tiger Woods have to be to get on the "Pro" circuit?[more]
Then, if we add women to this mix, the world's (not just America's) bias shows up even more. We can't just be good enough to convince people to vote for us, we have to be way better. So much better, that no one can catch us – nor can they lay a snare.
Okay, so maybe African-American pilots in WWII did not have the latest planes – those went to the "real" flyers. That did not stop men like my uncle from proving that they were the best at what they did. Witness the "Red Tails" who escorted bombers and never lost a bomber. They were so good that eventually, the bomber pilots asked to be escorted by those (black) fighter pilots, because "we want to get home alive."
So, Mr. Obama, as you stick your neck out there, just remember that while there are people who look like they are helping you, their name doesn't go down in history as the person who signed the "Stimulus Bill." You do! They may present you with ideas, but when you are no longer President, they will still be in Congress or lobbying for more money because you didn't fix it (whatever it is).
You said you came to make a "change." Well, then do it! Really get bipartisan – sit down with a Republican or Independent or Liberitarian without all your Democrat supporters or staff around. Really talk to someone from "across the aisle." And if you want to talk to me, an African-American Republican on Social Security who remembers "back in the day," you can give me a shout.
Or you can just drop in next time you are in the area.