This past Tuesday, November 4th, 2008, at about 11:30 PM, the United States of America elected its 44th President, Barack Obama, in a near-landslide. For the past almost two years, Barack Obama has led an extraordinary campaign based on the idea of hope and change in America. “Yes We Can!” was chanted by hundreds of thousands supporters at rallies around the country. I can finally truly be proud to be American.
Barack Obama had a very humble entrance into politics as a community organizer in Chicago. Having been somewhat of a community organizer myself at my Temple in 2006-2008, organizing and social action gets you engaged and attached to a community. Obama and his campaign directors never forgot that civic engagement is key to democracy. Not only was there amazing grass-roots organizing and campaigning going on, Obama’s Internet campaign was just as strong, if not stronger. Obama’s website was designed to help people get involved, not by simply donating, but by offering time in the shape of phone calls, organizing events, and arranging house meetings. Obama presents a brighter future for traditional politics, but also for finally involving technology in the political process using “Web 2.0″ and new media tools available on the Internet.
The Problem
The problem with mass contemporary democracy is people don’t care any longer - they may get upset, but they never act upon their anger. Over the past twenty years and particularly over the past eight, the government has acted independently from the people, only using mainstream media as an interface to the general public. Even serving in the Army, offering your life for your country, is no longer honorable. Public service holds no meaning today. There has been a frighteningly large feeling and atmosphere of apathy in the United States. We don’t care about the government, and the government doesn’t care about us.
A Solution
I truly believe things will change when Barack Obama moves into office. This change won’t come quickly or easily - it will rely on the continued and increased involvement of the American people. Barack Obama plans to appoint a Chief Technology Officer of the nation, as a cabinet position. Why not? Obama has already demonstrated he knows how to use the Internet well in connection to political matters. His campaign website didn’t replace face-to-face contact with and between voters - it enhanced it and made it easier. Barack Obama and Joe Biden have already set up a website called Change.gov that offers easy access to government related information, lets people apply for jobs, and encourages us to get involved with our government. This the first time I have seen such a website, and the first time such a website has been appealing to the eye. The government is and will finally reengage with its citizens. The Internet is and has helped people think globally but act locally.
Do you see change in the future of the United States of America? How should the Internet be used by the government, if at all?
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