Obama - U.S.A `s 44th President

In front of a record-setting crowd and in the presence of an unprecedented number of former presidents – Carter, Bush, Clinton and Bush Jr.- Barack Obama placed his right hand on Abraham Lincoln's Bible on Tuesday and said : "I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear that I will execute the office President of the United States faithfully."Later, in his much-anticipated inaugural address, Obama thanked his predecessor then he asserted the crisis in which U.S.A is, referring to all of the problematic issues : weakened economy, nation at war, lost homes, shed jobs, shuttered businesses ; a too costly health care; " and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet." Obama presented the way in which things can be solved in each sector, he addressed the Muslim world saying :" we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect", and the people of poor nations by pledging " to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds".Then, he once again reaffirmed America`s values upon which this nation progressed : " hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism".
I watched Obama`s Inaugural Address with emotion but also with a feeling of disappointment : in spite of those criticizing Obama for being more a celebrity rather than a politician and the person capable of doing all of those things he talked about in his speech, I supported him during elections and enjoyed each part of this show surrounding his Inauguration. I do believe he`ll try to accomplish each promise he made to Americans and the huge popularity he`s having can only help in doing so. I don`t think it`s just a show off, I actually believe his greatest strength is the force of convincing people that together they can bring back America to where it was , they can turn it into a nation loved worldwide. I mean he convinced me, and I`m not American.
Now the reason of me feeling kind of disillusioned : in Romania we never celebrated a new President, I`ve never seen people cheering for politicians, attending different ceremonies in spite of weather conditions or doing it because they felt that with all their heart, and not just because they were forced by someone or by something. The no. of celebs supporting Obama, the beautiful concerts and balls, each were real. If we were to have these things, it would have been fake.
Perhaps I`m too much of a believer and an idealist, but these things made me react, it touched me though I`m just a witness to it all. It`s easy to comment from outside, to criticize each mistake of this nation, the bad choices their leaders made. The fact is they have the power to change all that and most of all they have the belief in their nation.
They react to these words: " In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned."
For most of the Americans patriotism is not just a word, it`s not something you should feel or something you convince yourself to feel. It` just a way of living.