partypup makes some good points. But you don’t get anywhere in this country by working against the powers that be. Money is what makes things go ’round in America.

Short of a revolution, no person can become president without the support of the rich and powerful.

A friend of mine is doing a PhD at NYU. He used to be the idealistic type who wanted to work for the common good. Well, he got invited to a gallery opening and some fancy soirées hosted by the rich. He was repulsed yet seduced by how the ultra rich live. Now he still wants to work for the common good; but his ambition is to provide for himself financially and become, at least marginally, part of the privileged class. Can you blame him?

Money and power have a way to co-opt and seduce. America has been using both to keep leaders in the developing world and the Middle-East on our side. Their populations are so anti-American because they feel that their leaders have been “bought” by America. Yet, paradoxically, they are seduced by the wealth of America and many dream to immigrate and live in America.

Now, is it possible to be of the establishment and still work to improve the lives of the masses? Yes, I think so. Once great leaders achieve ultimate power, their motivation is no longer to work for themselves but for a legacy. Unfortunately, great leaders are rare.

Can Obama become a great leader? In my view, he’s the best choice among all the candidates currently running.