On January 20th

Seven days. One week. One hundred and sixty eight hours. Ten thousand and eighty minutes. However you prefer to measure it, our subscription to the Evil Emperor's Club is almost up.

On January 20^th, we will finally experience the long-awaited regime change that will return Democracy to the United States. For the first time since before we unwillingly liberated Iraq, we will at last be ourselves liberated from the maniacal dictatorship of 'The Decider'. The most inept, incompetent, ignorant, arguably malicious, and downright loony presidency in the history of our nation is nearly at an end.

The feeling of anticipation is reminiscent of a childhood Christmas morning, where, impatient, we can't sleep for the excitement of finally getting to open the presents that have been taunting us since November. There is no question, things will instantly "get better" the very moment our fearless leader's hand touches the Lincoln Bible.

Expectations are high. Some folk are praying to see checks from the government magically appear in their mailboxes. Others hope for a special-effect-like shockwave of change to sweep across the nation, wiping away the millions of foreclosure notices, refilling depleted bank accounts and gas tanks, and putting food and medicine back in the cupboards. Still others dream of an O-shaped cloud, glowing over Washington, lighting the way for our nation's victory over terrorists and evil-doers all around the globe.

The reality probably won't be as spectacular as all that. But, if nothing else, Obama's presidency simply can't be worse than the last.

Maybe I shouldn't be so pessimistic. Barack has already accomplished the impossible: he defeated the Goliath that was Hillary Clinton in the primaries, and then went on to become the first member of any minority to successfully conquer the hearts and minds of the American people, earning a path paved with good intentions (which are today as rare as un-foreclosed homes and Chevy's with 'sold' stickers) that led him straight to the White House. Next to that, managing to not destroy the republic should be a cakewalk.

But there is something vital about Barack Obama that all the prayerful people, the hopeful homeless, and the bankrupt big-shots are forgetting. He didn't do any of it alone.

No super-power got him elected. No magic fairy-dust coerced people to vote for him. He won this election, not because he was judged the lesser of two evils, as with most other presidents in recent memory, but because people - lots of people - didn't just "believe", but helped.

Neither John Kennedy nor Ronald Reagan mobilized the sheer numbers of inspired, passionate supporters that Barack Obama has. We all know the message: don't just follow my lead, come lead by my side. And come they did. By the millions.

In one week, the man who isn't just a man, but a symbolic vessel of the collective whole of the American people will take office. When that happens, many of us will feel an amazing sensation, like we have a country we belong to again. A place where our voices can be heard, and do matter. It will feel like each and every one of us is standing there, taking the oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and her people against all enemies, foreign and domestic, at the same time.

The amazing transfiguration of our country will happen. We won't see the stock market come roaring back that day, or the unemployment lines vanish, or loved ones come home from war, or finally be "authorized" to have our medical maladies treated. But we will see something just as astonishing, if only symbolically.

On January 20^th, all the people of the United States will experience a dramatic change, whether they acknowledge it or not. On that day, eight years of oppression and repression will come to an abrupt end. On that day, we will be liberated. On that day, we - the people - will be free to take action, to begin to right the wrongs, to help heal our crippled nation, and to aid our ailing countrymen.

Barack can't do it for us. He will play his part, of that we can be sure, but he is far from all-powerful. To do what needs doing, he needs the same help he needed to get where he's gotten: us.

With freedom comes responsibility. Over the last several decades, we've become complacent, ceding our responsibilities to a gluttonous government, hungry for power over the masses. On January 20^th, President Barack Obama will give that power back.

After that, it will be up to us to do the leading.

Hordes of politically mined people frequently boast that they are ready, willing, and able to "stand up" for their principles. It's time to put their money where their mouth is.

The time has come to stand up, stand out, speak up, and take action. No longer will we be able to sit back in our easy chairs while the world goes to hell around us, sipping beer and muttering how 'somebody' should do 'something' about it.

Of course we can, but if we do, we'll get more of what we've always gotten.

During the campaign, Barack said: "In this moment, let us reach for what we know is possible."

On January 20^th, our moment will not be over. It will not be time to celebrate a "mission accomplished", while we all return to our collective societal slumber, leaving just one man to do our work for us. On January 20^th, our job won't be done; we will merely be free to start doing it.

On January 20^th, our moment truly begins. More than anything else, that is the change we need.