And I say, au contraire.
The pundits describe the Democratic Party as "reeling" in the wake of Republican Scott Brown's stunning victory in the Massachusetts special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the passing of Ted Kennedy. This "imperils" President Barack Obama's agenda for health care and other domestic issues, because now the Republicans have 41 seats in the Senate, which means that Mr. Obama no longer has a filibuster-proof Senate. To quote a CNN news piece: "It is a mighty blow for a president who just one year ago seemed unbreakable, unstoppable, and unbeatable."
On the surface, these assessments appear correct. But upon further reflection, it seems to me that Tuesday's election has the potential to truly be a positive watershed moment for this administration.
I believe that both parties champion worthwhile ideas (for more on this topic, see Left or Right?); though at times their respective valid values conflict. As evidenced by the issue at hand: It's certainly important to ensure that every citizen has access to adequate medical care—whether or not he or she can personally afford it—but it's also important to assure the continued high quality of the nation's healthcare, and that companies are not taxed out of business to cover the costs.
When both parties have a voice, the result can and should be reaching a middle ground that satisfies all sensibilities. A healthcare reform bill that ensues will be a better one, one that takes into account so many more considerations, one that has a far greater likelihood of succeeding.
Ultimately, the president's laudable goal of providing universal healthcare has taken a step forward yesterday—provided that Mr. Obama welcomes the infusion of new ideas and views this as an opportunity to be utilized, not an obstacle to overcome.
As is the case with so many challenges that we encounter, if we look a bit deeper, we can perceive that they have the potential to make us stronger and wiser—if only we can zoom in on the positive.
No other than G‑d Himself provides an example of this idea in action.
Before all was created by the word of His mouth, He had the only vote. Forget about filibusters—there was no one and nothing to have any opinion at all regarding any agenda He might have had.
And G‑d decided that he wanted voters. Voters who could actually decide to countermand His agenda. For this reason, He didn't suffice with creating angels and other spiritual beings—entities that respond to all He says and does with a resounding "Holy! Holy! Holy!"
The objective of creation is the human race, whose members have the ability to decide that they are the "opposition"; who can form their own parties and dissent or filibuster at will.
G‑d doesn't want to impose His will on us; He wants us to vote for His agenda of our own volition. The truest truth can never be forced upon others.
This is a leadership modality that Mr. Obama should feel privileged to emulate...
