The Inauguration

I had the radio and/or TV on all day (Tuesday, Jan. 20) observing the inauguration and the transfer of power from President George W. Bush to President Barack H. Obama.

The idea of Barack Hussein Obama as President of the United States still scares me spitless. I don't wish him any harm, and his racial origin doesn't worry me a bit, but I cannot wish him success.

That sounds terrible, but I don't wish him success because I don't trust his goals. He says he is for change and I agree we need change. But what are the changes he proposes? At times, he seems to advocate socialism or fascism, which is a change no real American would wish for.

We would lose the freedoms for which our forefathers sacrificed and fought so hard.

During the many months in which we were deluged with Obama's speeches, I had to acknowledge that he was a first-rate orator. He made his ideas and promises sound reasonable. I can understand, though, how his promises and smooth orations took in gullible people.

It's like charismatic cult leaders draw in people who can't seem to see through the smooth talk. I am reminded of some major cults to which many people flocked, yet their lives ended unhappily and/or tragically.

Followers were taken in by the charisma of a smooth leader. We hear such men called charismatic, which can be either good or bad. It means only that the charismatic person has the ability to influence people to follow, regardless of whether the causes they follow are right or wrong.

I am suspicious of the tremendous crowds attracted by Obama. They seem to have an almost hysterical, mindless quality, disturbingly reminiscent of cults, mobs or even in a sort of "follow the leader" psychology that. as an old farm gal, I associate with a herd of sheep when the sheep dog works them. When the first sheep dives through the gate, the whole panicky herd mindlessly crowds through behind it.

It would please me mightily if I am wrong.

After all, Obama is the president and the leader of the country. We, as a nation and a people, will prosper or fail according to what he does and where he leads the country.

I recall a quote from one of those forefathers to the effect that they had given us a government, "If you can keep it," and I pray that Obama is on the right track.