Listening to the car radio on my way into work this morning, I heard more rumblings about whether President Obama should be on Martha’s Vineyard vacationing when his agenda seems to be spiraling out of control. My hope is that he takes a serious vacation – he needs and deserves one! But during his time away I would ask him to reflect on three key questions.

The president left for vacation not a moment too soon. People on the left are complaining the president isn’t driving “change” fast enough. Those on the right argue that all he wants is big government. If you believe the polls, independents are peeling off, increasingly dissatisfied with him. Fearing this situation, The White House is now scheduling the president for more and more press events while he’s away.

Living right outside Washington, D.C., I can still remember the feeling during President Obama’s inauguration. The crowds on the mall were overflowing; the sense of pride throughout the nation was real. I remember even many of those who voted for Senator John McCain shared in the celebration. The president’s election was a truly historic event. Where have those days gone?

We can argue over different policy issues, but I think there is one fundamental condition within the country the president and his advisors have forgotten. We are living in what I would call a classic Impasse Stage (see Community Rhythms). Coming up to the 2008 election, there was agreement that the nation had seriously veered off course, and something had to give; but that agreement was misread as common ground about what should be done. In fact, recent debates on all sorts of issues – from health care to bailouts to torture and many others – reminds us there is little agreement in the nation about big change. This doesn’t mean that action shouldn’t be taken.

But what should be done? Here’s my plea: “Mr. President, please think about the following questions on your vacation.” 

1. What was it about your campaign that inspired so many people? For me, it could be seen once more in how you handled the most recent health care town halls, or the Henry Louis Gates incident. In those moments, you rose above partisan politics and talked directly to the nation. You insisted on reframing traditionally polarized debates and helped people to see what was at issue and how we might approach it. You engaged people as intelligent actors in the political process and public life. We need more of this now.

2. What kind of change do people want today? You know the challenges we face are huge. They always are when a country or community hits an impasse like the one we are experiencing today. But such gigantic need typically cannot be addressed with equally huge responses. There simply isn’t enough trust to build the necessary political coalition within Congress or among the American people. Highly targeted, impact-driven, leveraged change is what is called for.

3. What does hope mean right now? You know there is a difference between false hope and authentic hope. The dividing line is very thin, and it often blurs. The point is, when conditions are what they are today, it’s essential to stay as far away from the line as possible – that is, to be clearly and unambiguously on the side of authentic hope. This is especially the case when the political cross-currents are so strong and formidable. Thus, the intent and purpose of your proposals must ring true to people; people must be able to see themselves in them; and they must believe they will lead to meaningful change. With all due respect, too many items on your agenda do not seem to meet this test. Intentionally or not, you are skating too close to false hope.

I do not offer these three questions as a partisan of any kind. Rather, I believe there are breaches to repair in our society today, and I believe that many people – most people – want to come together and figure out how to move ahead. That sentiment, that feeling, that desire, has not gone away.

Please think about these questions. We all want change and hope – but how we get there is up for grabs.