Staring Into The Abyss

I can’t wait to actually know what it feels like to be proud of my President and not embarrassed by him. ~A Giddy Youth

In my 29 years, I have never felt proud of any President, and I truly cannot understand how a politician could make anyone feel giddy (except in the way that standing on the edge of a precipice might give you this feeling).  At Reagan and the elder Bush’s best moments, I found that I could respect the President, but then I was very young and impressionable.  Except for about a one-year period in Mr. Bush’s first term, I can’t remember even having that respect.  What would be a truly remarkable accomplishment for the next President would be if he could cause me to have respect for him.  I don’t think people should feel proud of their politicians–this is to ask and to give too much–but it certainly shouldn’t be too much to ask that they earn our respect.