Today we complete a transformation in American Government that began two years ago. With the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President we stand at a moment in history that we have not seen since January 1965. We have a progressive President and significant progressive majorities in Congress. I have waited my entire adult life to see a day like this having come through the dark days and lost opportunities since 1980.
That President and Congress 44 years ago changed America by confirming civil rights, expanding health care coverage and waging a war on poverty. That moment was lost through war and assassinations and generational conflict. The cost has been incredible. The Bush Presidency has been the dying gasp of a slide into reaction that undid so much of what was achieved to make the American dream accessible to a broad working and middle class. The militarization of our foreign policy has brought our nation into conflict with much of the world.
The challenge for this progressive moment is greater than just reversing a recession or ending a war (or two). While these issues are front and center in the agenda for the new leadership and their positive resolution will hailed as improvements on the status quo, the opportunity is greater than that. This moment will be marked by the chance to change the balance of power in this country. To move power and influence back to the working and middle class. To push public policy in directions that makes change as broad in scope and with the same effectiveness as the best of the New Deal and the Great Society.
Our nation is wounded but hopeful about what will come from President Obama and the Democratic Congress. The promise is great, and deservedly so, because in recent generations we have seen nothing like the rise of the eloquence and commitment of our new President. I remember being in Ohio before the election and seeing the joy and pride in the faces of the folks in line with me waiting to see Barack Obama speak in Cincinnati. In this community (virtual or not) and cities and towns and churches and organizations across the country we need to raise our voices and support and cajole and push for what we believe.
Thank you kind reader for all you have done these past years to make this moment possible.
Let’s not lose this moment. Let’s not waste a moment. Let’s make change.
Recent Comments