Changing my presidential views

It was the most gratifying commuting ritual. I would fold my Washington Post, tilt my head toward the window and let the hum of the Metro lull me into a dream sequence. \nThe scene: Chandeliers twinkle overhead, playing a game of light with the bubbles in my champagne flute. I'm at an inaugural ball, surrounded by dashing political dynamos and movie stars, all laughing vivaciously. \nPresident George W. Bush, to his secret service agent: "Why, look, she's a vision! It's strikingly apparent that international prosperity and world peace are within her grasp."\nBush rushes over to meet me, extending his hand ceremoniously. I, suddenly summoned by Prince William, regard the president haughtily and flutter away leaving an air of mystery and a deflated Dubya. \nThe scene never transpired, and minus the part (that I left out) about being appointed ambassador to Italy, it no longer holds the same appeal. My distaste for Bush, which was rooted in his political stances, has since changed, although before this week he seemed about as compassionate as a piranha. \nHis voucher plan seemed to be an excuse to let the poorest schools deteriorate into oblivion, leaving the hardest-to-serve students in a lurch. The simple idea of addressing education in Bloomington from the beltway seemed like a nonsensical way to wield the federal fist where local authority should rule. \nHis first day left me fuming after he cut funds for abortion counseling overseas. Denying women the chance to heal emotionally after having an abortion and taking the procedure out of the hands of qualified doctors seemed inhumane. \nTalk of prosecuting the Clinton camp for taking a few "W"s off keyboards seemed rather hypocritical for a man known to play "peek-a-boo" with journalists riding on his campaign plane. It scared me that it wasn't until he was in office that his accountants started to hash out the viability of his tax cut. \nBut for all of these offenses, he has one idea that would redeem him in the eyes of this bleeding heart independent. \nPlease allow me to tiptoe around my point a bit. I took a brilliant American history class last year in which we learned about the Progressive Era in U.S. history. This was a movement that came as a backlash to overly powerful corporations, exploitation by utility companies and a common feeling of uselessness among young people (sound familiar?). Enter Jane Addams, a woman whose Chicago settlement houses existed to educate and advance poor and disenfranchised individuals. She exemplified the national movement of working in one's own community to help individuals, not just demographics. \nSo where does our president enter this picture? In the philosophy behind his office for faith-based initiatives. Underlying the executive order is a new respect -- and revenue stream -- to organizations that promote personal interaction and gratifying experiences for the server and the served. The fight against poverty would still involve vouchers and ultimatums, but it would be reinforced with neighborhood ties and compassion.\nBefore we join hands and sing "The Smurfs" theme song, there are general reservations about the office. Funneling money into faith-based organizations is a double-edged sword. One blade is the possibility of individuals pushing their beliefs on others, and another is the loss of authentic identity the organizations might face when they are severed from their convictions. Separation of church and state will certainly dissolve in some areas and erupt in others. The conservative Christian feel of the inauguration prayers doesn't bode well for Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist organizations, and the fact that religion is a known catalyst for wars and turmoil is unsettling. \nNone of those reservations change the fact that Bush is taking a bold step outside political convention to reach out to the poor through the arms of their neighbors. If his plan is effective, he's tapping his most valuable national resource: the creativity and energy of people reading this right now, who, through this initiative, might be more likely to build a house with Habitat for Humanity or give bigger dreams to a child in Big Brothers/Big Sisters. \nThere are going to be splinters on every rung of this ladder back down to the humanitarian spirit of the Progressive Era. But if Bush's leadership can revive a golden age of American community spirit, than maybe, just maybe, I'll return his handshake at a future gala event.