Tale of Two #Conventions

The Republican National Convention (RNC) and its Democratic counterpart, the DNC, are a stunning study in contrasts.

The Republicans presented a stark, foreboding dystopian America that needs a savior, Donald Trump with hair like golden sun beams.   Conventions watchers absorbed a litany of ills besetting the country like the roll call of plagues in the biblical apocalypse.  Thanks, Obama.

Fast forward to this week and the DNC in Philadelphia.  Like day is to night, the differences between the conventions was a play of light against shadow.  Democrats were all hopey and changey leading up to the darkness-annihilating speech of President Obama on Wednesday night.

Now, I like to view Barack Obama as a type of utopian president.  I mean the whole thing about "hope and change" and about creating a system that reflects our "better selves" always had a near otherworldly feel.

Barack is a known Trekker who once flashed the Vulcan salute to the late Leonard Nimoy.  As any deep fanboy/girl would knows, Star Trek is all about sci-fi utopianism.  Using technology, the United Federation of Planets is able to create a system without hunger or want.  However, some folks are always trying to mess things up whether it be Romulans or disgruntled members of the Federation itself.

President Obama's optimism shines through in the face of constant and strident opposition to his vision.  Now amount of obstruction or failure seems to dint his perception of the present or the future.  He still sees a shining light on the hill.

Let's remember where the country was heading when Obama took office in January 2009.  The economy was losing 800,000 jobs a month.  Home prices were plummeting.  Some people saw the value of their home cut to a third or forth of its pre-meltdown value.

Yet, even then, Obama was still smiling and optimistic about the future.  He dug the country out of the worst economic crisis seen since the Great Depression.  While growth has been gradual, it also has been nearly non-stop since shortly after he took office.

America is faced with a choice of two visions of America Present and Yet to Come.  The Trump version in which the country is beset by enemies, afraid and just a shadow of its former self.  Out of the chaos and mire will arise The Donald himself, a billionaire Robin Hood, to tear down Obamacare and other dark dragons, and to protect us from Muslims and Mexicans.

Obama's vision is that of an America that has been getting back on its feet, but still has a way to go.  Hillary Clinton will take on the mantle to forge ahead with programs like universal healthcare, livable wages, job creation through sustainable innovation and affordable college education.

in November we will see whether Scotty will be beaming us up, or whether we will face more of an "Escape from New York" battle for dystopia scenario.