The night Barack Obama was elected president, I watched as thousands of people gathered on streets and plazas with tears streaming down their faces, wide smiles, hugging one another.  A single thought formed in my mind.  Perhaps it is not too late for us.  That thought bloomed. 

Perhaps with the right leadership, we really can turn around this sinking ship and make it to shore.  Perhaps the right leader really can take us to a new place where precious resources—both from our dear Mother Earth and from the shallow pockets of her ordinary citizens--were wisely used.  Perhaps schools will finally teach children instead of policing them.  Perhaps all of our citizens really will have enough food, shelter, medicine.  After all, we cannot lay claim to being a great nation if we cannot cover the most essential needs of our citizens. 

Perhaps the right leader can steer a course across uncertain seas—one that does not demean or diminish the peoples of the world.  Perhaps the right leader can have such a strong vision for the world that our own eyes will suddenly be opened and we too can see that peace comes when there is enough.  It is a simple solution. 

Perhaps with such a leader, even the most asleep among us could awaken to the simple reality that if we spend our precious resources wisely—we get wisdom, and if we spend our precious resources carefully, we get care.

Perhaps.

Perhaps we should quit waiting for a strong leader and become the one we are waiting for.