Collegiate Times

Across the breadth of America, beneath the choruses of hope and skepticism, the awareness of the perilous moment in history in which we live resonates with somber indifference to our dreams and aspirations.

In every direction, events seem dislocated and disassembled. The market falls, the economy breaks, health care suffers, terrorism continues, rockets explode, bombs drop and people die of unnatural causes. In this moment of dire need, the leadership (such as it is) failed.

Now a new president comes to office. A new chance for leadership worthy of the times, raising expectations that these problems will be wrestled into submission.

With this man comes symbols of significant change: African-American, community organizer, curiosity, intellect, inclusiveness and courage. Courage enough to hope in the midst of desolation, courage enough to seek leadership at a time where failure is more probable than success, and courage enough to propose bold action. There is courage enough, finally, to believe in the capacity for greatness on the part of the citizens of this country.

All this is by way of saying that the success of the Obama administration depends upon the efforts of the people.

After Sept. 11, President Bush was asked what the average citizen could do to assist in the reaction to the horrible deeds of that day. His answer was that we could "shop."

It was a blow to the morale of the American people.

A tragedy requires more than "business as usual."

Even in his farewell address, he remarked that most of us returned to life as usual after 9/11 while he did not. Clearly he had lost touch with America.

Obama has made a number of statements about the need of all Americans to take part in seeking solutions to the problems we now face.

All of us will have some sacrifice to make. Families have lost loved ones in the wars we are engaged in; investors have seen the market take most of their gains; health care, while good for some, is not distributed across the society; and our moral compass -- regardless of political orientation -- is in disarray. In our country, we have a significant amount of "deferred maintenance."

Roads, bridges, railroads, levees, dams and airports need work. In addition to current problems, future successes depend on the development of technology in energy, information and a myriad of areas essential to our future.

To this end, Obama proposes government spending of historic proportions.

Spending alone will not solve the problems we face. Without a commitment on the part of citizens to aspire beyond their narrow interests and seek a larger good, the money will be poorly spent and we will end up broke in money and in spirit.

It is a time for serious people to do serious work. It is time for each of us to seek the best that is in us. It is time to ask of all we do: How does this make us better as a people?

One of those defining moments in history occurs and the privilege of being here cannot be overstated. Greatness occurs only when the possibility of defeat surrounds us with fears large and small.

Trusting in the courage of citizens to engage these fears becomes essential. At noon today a young man posted a sign on the White House door:

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