Obama: "People who love this country can change it"

President-elect Barack Obama said it could take several years for the economy to turn around, news obscured Sunday by an inaugural concert that saw crowds stretched along both sides of the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial 

Noting the monuments all around them, Obama said what gives him hope "is what I see when I look out across this mall. For in these monuments are chiseled those unlikely stories that affirm our unyielding faith -- a faith that anything is possible in America.

"You proved once more that people who love this country can change it. And as I prepare to assume the presidency, yours are the voices I will take with me every day I walk into that Oval Office -- the voices of men and women who have different stories but hold common hopes; who ask only for what was promised us as Americans -- that we might make of our lives what we will and see our children climb higher than we did," he said.

While part of the "change" Obama was addressing has to do with improving the economy, he certainly alluded to social change as well.    This is a theme that he has used before.  In one breath, Obama has talked about how great America is, showing is patriotism and love for the country.   That played well throughout the campaign.  In the next breath, he says that, essentially, everything about America needs to be changed.  Our constitution, social policy, politics, congress, the economy, foreign policy ... you name it.  There is nothing that should be left alone.  

Given all the change he wants to make, I wonder what it is about America that he thinks makes it so great?

The other issue I have with this statement, is the "People who love this country..." part.  For eight years (actually much longer, but the drum beat has been the loudest during the Bush admin.), the MainStreamMedia, the Hollywood looney-left, and the Edu-Elite left has bashed any reference to patriotism and love of country.  Now, all of a sudden, because Obama has been elected, it seems we are going to have a love-fest with America.

I'm all for loving America.  But have a real problem with those who think America is only worth loving if we put only lefties in office and try to change everything that makes America great.

Yes, Obama, those who love this country can change it.  We can make it better.  But don't look to your friends, Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright.  Don't look to Barney Frank and Ted Kennedy.  Don't look to Ted Dansen and Rosie O'Donnell.  They've never professed a love for America in the past.  In fact, many of them have spent their lives trying to tear down and ruin America.  And, for the most part, we've just kicked out of Washington the true patriots.