The Canonization of Barack Obama

The 2016 Presidential election was a shocker. Democrats were traumatized by the unexpected result. They felt blindsided as returns started to trend in the Republican candidate’s favor.

Shock was soon followed by anger, which is still smoldering under the hot ashes of defeat.  It was not supposed to be this way. Clinton was leading in the polls. Of course, Trump had done his best to self-destruct.  The revelation of his peccadillos and disgraceful behavior appeared to seal his fate.

I am very much conscious that folks are still grieving this grave loss. It was a resounding rejection of policies very dear to progressives and hard-nosed liberals.

What is canonization?

Merriam-Webster defines it as the process “to declare a (deceased) person a saint”. In other words, it is the orchestrated process of elevating the impeccable and righteous life of someone to a pedestal.

The Catholic Church uses a four-step process. It starts with a Request, which is followed by a Determination, which leads to Beatification, and concludes with Canonization.  It advances the status of the subject from Servant to Venerable to Blessed (beatification), and ultimately to Saint.

Advancement is not automatic. The subject must perform a miracle by intercession to rise from venerable to blessed, and another miracle to reach sainthood.  Very few make through this rigorous process. The subject must be dead at least five years. This requirement was waived once … for the elevation of Mother Teresa.

As humans none of us is perfect. We all make mistakes, some graver than others. We can receive absolution of most sins, except the mortal kinds, as part of the absolution ordinance performed on the dying or the dead.

A Word of Caution

A saint to some might very well be a devil to others. For example, to Catholics Padre Serra is venerated for having evangelized California during the Spanish colonization period. To the Native Americans, he is the re-incarnation of the devil. They accuse him of having been complicit in the enslavement and butchering of thousands of their ancestors. Therefore, sainthood is often in the eye of the beholder.

Fast Forward to 2017

Watching President Obama’s farewell, others and I were reminded of the canonization process.  After eight long years, Democrats came to give thanks. There was a religious fervor in the crowd. Emotions ran high. Tears of joy and consolation were apparent in many people’s faces.

The stage was decorated with 20-30 flags. The music in the background played patriotic songs. All the dignitaries were present. It was quite a spectacle. 

I must admit that I was touched by the dynamics. I did not get to vote in 2008. I was stationed in the Middle East and I did not have time to cast my absentee ballot on time. However, I was elated by his election. I thought that it was a great omen for our country. I saw in him a Black JFK, a leader capable of energizing the nation.

President Obama enumerated many accomplishments, 10 noteworthy miracles during the past eight years:

·      Affordable Health Insurance

·      Eleven million new jobs

·      $ 785 million shovel ready jobs stimulus

·      Saved the car industry

·      Achieved Iranian Nuke Deal without firing a shot

·      Instrumental in the Paris Climate Agreement

·      Killed Osama Bin Laden

·      Pardoned more than 750 inmates
   Permitted undocumented to stay

·      Raised federal minimum wage

He crowned himself from servant to venerable to blessed and ultimately a saint in a single step. He also vowed to return to the political arena and help make more miracles.  He did not wait for history to judge his legacy, he wanted to do it.

Beauty in the eye of the beholder

Like Native Americans view of Father Serra, Republicans seem to have a completely different view of the situation. They remember a completely different legacy:

·      Nine trillion dollars of additional national debt

·      Lowest worker participation in history

·      Three more million Americans on food stamps

·      Middle East Fiascos

·      300,000 fewer manufacturing jobs

·      $ 783 billion negative balance of trade

·      Healthcare costs up by 25% or more

·      Lowest home ownership in decades

·      43 million Americans living in poverty

·      A divided country in decline

How Do We Reconcile The Differences?

We owe President Obama a heartfelt thank you. He needs to be absolved from some of the criticism. He inherited the worst economic crisis in in years, and a Middle East in flames. He provided a steady hand during very turbulent times.  

Sure, his lack of experience and occasionally timidity did not help him, but he was a conscientious hard worker on our behalf. He and his family set a good example for us. He was a great orator!

A saint? Perhaps not! But surely worthy of beatification!

Thank you, Mister President!