Why the American Political Transfer of Power ROCKS

I first became interested in politics in 1980, if you can call it an interest. Maybe an ‘awareness’ is the better word. I was a teenager and not particularly concerned about current events; I was more concerned about where my boyfriend and I would go on our next date. (Just bein’ real, y’all.) But 1980 was a tough year to ignore. Much like 2016, the outcome of the election resulted in a drastic change in power, not to mention the highest number of electoral votes won by a non-incumbent U.S. Presidential candidate ever.

On January 20, 1981, in Washington D.C., the transfer of power went something like this. Chief Justice Warren Burger administered the oath to Ronald Reagan who placed his hand on a family Bible, a gift from his mother, which was opened to II Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. During the inaugural lunch, Reagan had the privilege of announcing the release of 52 American hostages from Iran after 444 days of captivity. Celebrations erupted across the nation, including folks tying yellow ribbons to show support for the returning hostages. In that moment, it didn’t matter if you’d been pro-Reagan or not; America came together to celebrate the answer to a prayer, the return of our own.

Last month, the small West African country of Gambia, held an election. The President had held his position for 23 years. (Can you imagine that?) It was a shock to him when a former security guard and real estate agent won the election. President Jammeh refused to step down. The country was on the brink of political crisis. The political transfer of power began shaping up to include military action as West African troops amassed at Gambia’s borders. According to the U.N., 45,000 people has fled the country since the December 1st election, due to the turmoil. Weeks after the election, on the night of January 20, 2016, the day of the American Presidency’s transfer of power, Jammeh stepped down and Adama Barrow was inaugurated in nearby Senegal. Jammeh was offered asylum from Nigeria and Morocco. He chose to go into exile in Equatorial Guinea.

As I read of this, I realized, despite the protests in our country, even now, the leaders of our great nation transfer power in an orderly fashion, thereby ensuring our democracy works. And that, in itself, should make every American proud, no matter what side of the political fence you’re on.

This year, Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton noted the significance of the peaceful transfer of power and said, “We owe [Trump] an open mind and a chance to lead.” She and former President Bill Clinton attended the inaugural luncheon where President Trump acknowledged them and led a standing ovation in their honor, noting, “I have a lot of respect for those two people.”

Earlier that day, on January 20, 2017, as a light rain fell intermittently in Washington D.C., the power of the Presidency of the United States of America had peacefully transferred from Barack Obama to Donald Trump. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. administered the oath to Trump who placed his hand on a Bible his mother had given him in 1955 and the Lincoln Bible used at Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration in 1861. (Barack Obama is the only other president to have used the Lincoln Bible in an inauguration.) And in each of those Bibles, like Reagan’s in 1980, in the 7th chapter and 14th verse of II Chronicles is this same powerful promise: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

There was no nation that offered asylum to our outgoing leader; there was no need.

There was no inaugural ceremony in a nearby country for the safety of our incoming leader; there was no need.

The democratic political system we have works. The peaceful transfer of power between our leaders ROCKS! Mainly because of men and women like the Obamas, the Clintons, the Trumps that serve the country and its citizens and pass the torch to the next administration in honor of our Constitution.

From the comfort of my home, as I watched some of the inaugural festivities, many years past 1980, I wasn’t too (but maybe a little) concerned about my next ‘date.’ (Honey, if you’re reading this, I hear the beach is fine this time of year!) I did admire the poise and grace of the past and present FLOTUS. And, somehow, I found myself hankering for a Ralph Lauren dress. (That powder blue would go great with my red hair.)

Shopping, anyone?

Rock on, America!

United We Stand,

Jean

Jean Bailey Robor is that "No Buts About It" expert who simply wants you to lead happier and more successful lives. Getting past what's holding you back and changing your mindset can put you on that path to better living. Click here to book Jean for your next event!