I just heard today about school children, at B. Bernice Young Elementary School in Burlington Township, NJ, having to sing songs extoling Pres. Barack Obama. Some people are concerned that this promotes a personality cult of hero worship. Which would be similar to practices in authoritarian regimes, like in Stalin's Russia. Here are the songs in question, so that you can judge for yourself. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/24/lyrics-songs-president-obama/ All that I have to say is that I rather doubt that President Obama is encouraging such fawning. There are many American folk songs about historical figures. Take for example these two songs. http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/classicdisney/theballadofdavycrockett.htm http://www.leoslyrics.com/listlyrics.php?hid=6IpJlcg8McE%3D Plus there was this song composed during Lincolns presidential campaign. http://www.extendedpdx.edu/lincoln_and_hamblin.mp3 Usually though important indivisuals are not glorified until after there deaths. So it runs the risk that this sort of thing will be thought of as idolising our country's leader. Just as long as we do not regard our President any higher than any other influential person, I feel that it is probally well intentioned. But that also no one should feel compelled to sing his praises. One should follow the convictions of conscience, just like in saying the pledge of allegiance to the flag. And also remember that the government is supposed to be of, by, and for the people. Our elected representitives, including the President are meant to be servants of the public, not the other way around. Our lives, and views, should matter too.
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