I came of age when Bill Clinton was president. Then it was a delight to listen to the American president. We were prosperous. We had budget surplus. We were not asking anyone to bring it on. We were the world.

…And then came George W. Bush. He stepped all over the world with his cowboy boot. It was eight years of torture, from listening to him, to watching his steps, and living with his actions. The economy tanked. America’s reputation tarnished. Our troubles tripled.

The first 100 days of Obama’s presidency marked the beginning of what would be a long road to the restoration of the dignity of the United States. In steps after steps, Obama has shown that he is a contemplative leader who knows where he wants to take the country to. Be it on health care, energy independence, global warming, wars, immigration, education, defense, Obama is determined to look at the long term benefit of all the tough issues of our time to the American people.

Of course, his opponents, those who did not like the outcome of the last election, have a different view. They are entrenched at that corner where all they see is doom. It is quite understandable because, for them, the success of Obama means only one thing – their ideologue that has been rejected by voters may be gone for a very long time.

While I yearned to listen to Clinton but dreaded listening to Bush, I do not have to listen to Obama at all. I am confident he is saying the right thing and I know if I need to find out what he is saying, I can get it from the bosom of history.

It has been a long time when an adult was in charge at the White House. Now I have the confidence that people we elected to take care of things are doing their utmost best.

I can relax, even when the swine flu is 5 miles away from me.

I can relax, even when Dick Cheney is threatening to publish his Torturer’s Manifest.

I can relax, even when the Supreme Court says nobody should swear on TV.

I can relax, even when my Boston Celtics are going nowhere in this NBA playoffs.

I can relax because Obama is in control.

I am calm. How about you?