Listen UP Obama, HEAR ME ROAR!

There have been more arguments in this country since the election of Barack ObamaBarack Obama than at any other point in current American political history . I've heard the arguments made on every angle and I'm usually right smack dab in the middle of the battle. I've been called on the carpet for being biased (I am) and called others on the carpet for the same thing (they are.) But all in all, I have learned that all voices should be listened to.

I've been thrilled with the increasing political awareness in this nation. I won't get all teary eyed and state it scares me because I've "seen it before" or that it reminds me of San Francisco in the 70's , for two reasons: First, I was less than 10 for most of the 70's and second, Nancy PelosiNancy Pelosi makes me sick.

The increase in political awareness is a wonderful thing. It makes no difference what side of middle you lean (no one is dead center, by the way) because for once, more than a person "here and there" is consciously watching the actions of their elected officials.

More people voted in the past Presidential election than in any other election. With the increased awareness comes increased responsibility – for the people we elect. It isn't a clean ride anymore. We are entering an era where we will hold our leaders accountable. It may have been paradise, but I don't think too many people on "The Hill" think it's paradise anymore. People are vocal and they realize that what we are witnessing is not just the fancy rhetoric of a few communicators and writers or the statistical analysis of the great poli-sci gurus, but rather, it is all of America screaming.

My, we are one great big feisty bunch.

I think we will see the highest voter turnout ever in the 2010 Congressional and Gubernatorial elections. I also think people will start to question the elected officials at the state and city levels a lot harder as well. I personally do not think “Rock the Vote” made a positive impression, but I think it put an idea out there for everyone. I strongly believe both Hollywood and the music industry are so far removed from the center that all “Rock the Vote” did was get a bunch of impressionistic youth into the voting booth to plug the candidates the A-listers favored. I don't think that is a good thing – brilliant, but not good. Eventually, political gain won't come by laying down with the lobbyists, and I think we are seeing the start of a movement in this nation toward an era of political accountability never seen before.

It started with the anti-Bush rallies and has continued full force ahead, carrying into the present administration. Left with not only an economic collapse, but a populous that no longer accepts status quo and which has become ill from the government making decisions quicker rather than smarter...it is the Obama administration that is truly feeling the wrath of the American people. However, too bad, I don't care that the Obama administration is being raked through the coals. What difference does it make now? They are the administration and is one administration less accountable for their actions because someone that walked before them was not?

I also remarked in one of my first articles on Allvoices that Karl RoveKarl Rove was 100% correct in his early commentary in the Wall Street Journal that our new President, Barack Obama, was a divisive figure. I took a lot of flack for that article – I like Karl Rove – so I am certain that came across in my writing. However, the point wasn't my like or dislike of Rove, it was the fact that he pointed out a correct fact on Barack Obama...he IS divisive. One would only need to stand at the water cooler in any office today. A few years ago people spoke about "the Sopranos" and "the Office" and today water cooler talk is about much more. It is about issues that actually DO matter... "Should we be in Iraq?" "Why is GITMO still open?" "Why can't we start a decade of isolationism and heal a wound?" The arguments are surreal – and people are so passionate about them. That's a good thing – because people do listen to the person they know standing next to the cooler (more than the rich A-lister) and the best part is that even if they do not agree – they respect each others views. The divisiveness of Barack Obama has Americans talking about America again and people talking is the one thing I believe keeps a nation from falling into tyranny.

Don't agree with Kyle at the cooler? Speak up. Next thing you know – you AND Kyle have taken off the rose colored glasses and are viewing the political arena for what it is – your life. People in politics will shape your world and the world you pass on to your children – shouldn't you be AWAKE for that?

People like myself, who speak about politics, may not shape your world or change your life – but we may change the fact that you used to talk about "the Office" and now you are talking about the surge in Afghanistan. Big difference, and because of the divisiveness of our current President, we are more vocal, and more keenly in tune with our government and their actions.

So, although Karl Rove may or may not be your favorite person, he was correct about the "divisive" nature of our current President.

However, rather than argue it is a bad thing....I will turn it around and believe it is a good thing. People are talking about our world and in ways people never before have. They are talking about climate change (or lack of evidence.) People are talking about the need for GITMO (or the need to close it.) People are talking about the role of a President with respects to news (or that the role belongs to the Sec. Of State) and the more they talk, the more they learn.

You may not learn one thing in my writing that will make you agree with anything I will ever say.

But the simple fact you've finally become aware of the government around you... is worth more than anything I could ever say anyway.

Maryann