Barack Obmama will likely be at his peak of popularity in the next few days. Americans like winning and our President will benefit from our joy. Our culture is based on winning and losing. Like Vince Lombardi, the iconic coach of the Green Bay Packers said "Winning isn't everything, its the only thing!" This ethos is steeped in US culture and we live by it.
The capture and killing of Osama Bin Laden is considered winning. Americans get this. Its zero-sum, black and white, we got our man and "getin' Osama" fits with our heroic narritive. Like our love of cowboys, football and obsession of sports in general, the USA is on the board. We scored the big goal or touchdown and runs to seal our championship on the War on Terror.
But this is not the time to give up and rest on our laurels. As citizens now is the time to ask and demand more. In the glow of victory other items can be cast aside. We need to keep the coals to the feet of our leaders to press for institutional change that can help the US GROW! Job rates and job creation is still stagnent, oil companies are still subsidized and raking in profits, the super rich still aren't paying their fair share and we have to find a real and sustainable immigration policy.
We should never give up on our country, we should demand more. We deserve a functional, working and flexible government that can change and improve. What capturing Bin Laden shows is that the know-how, skill and can do attitude of the US is alive and well. Let's demand that focus on our governmental institutions and make victory happen at home too.
Be happy citizens, it is a moment of glory. But do not forget the work is only just beginning and the promise of hope and change needs to be acted on.
Originally appeared http://laurent-courtines.com/on-the-capture-of-osama-bin-laden-great-news from http://laurent-courtines.com
