Joy - Change - Hope
By Kate Schuette, Editor
…Soak
in the joy… Let it wash over you, the feeling that your
country [your county] is a place where you belong after all. The
relief that your fellow citizens have turned out to be not bigots
crouching in the caves of ignorance, but patriots standing tall in
the bright light of reason.
From the Seattle Weekly
I
came home from my duties as poll clerk on election night, totally
depressed. My tiny Township of Centerville went for McCain –
in a big way. I waddled into the house, plunked down on the sofa
expecting the worst. But, upon turning on the tube I was dumb struck
– shocked into a stupor, and the tears began streaming down my
cheeks. It was over. McCain was giving his magnanimous concession
speech – I might add, beginning the healing process.
And,
the next day, still crying mind you, I learned that Manitowoc County,
too, had tipped for Obama. And Zigmunt ousted Lasee, and Kagen held
his seat from the dreaded Gard. What a difference a day can make.
And
so, let us rejoice. For this brief interim before inauguration, let
us celebrate the enormity of what has happened in these United
States. And be sure
to join us at our own Inaugural ‘Ball’.
As
we rejoice, the process of change is already underway. Obama has
made his cabinet member choices and, upon selection by Time
as Person of the
Year, the President-Elect said “…I do think
that we received a strong mandate for change. And I know that people
have said ‘Well,
what does this change
mean?’ … It means a government that is not ideologically
driven. It means a government that is competent. It
means a government, most importantly, that is focused day in, day out
on the needs and struggles, the hopes and dreams of ordinary people.”
And
according to the polls, over 70% of Americans are in support, giving
President-Elect Obama a favorable rating. To add to the consensus,
the top 3 issues receiving importance from more than 70% of those
polled – Health Care Reform, Climate Change and End to the Iraq
War – all issues that need drastic change.
Ironically,
the economic crisis may do much to jump start work on these three
issues as well as changes to move from our dependence on carbon based
fuels. Pundits seem to be in agreement that both parties are for
jump starting the economy – but also warn us to brace ourselves
for the sticker price. What now seems to be the modest amount of
$175 Billion bantered about during the election has escalated to a
staggering $800 Billion. Changes
will be coming – so brace yourselves for the feeding frenzy –
and possibility of corruption.
I
also remain concerned, but optimistic, about other issues:
The
Environmental Protection Agency just lowered standards for factory
farms allowing for more air and water pollution – a problem
for those involved in the Centerville Cares movement in my township
against Tod Leiteritz’ Maple Leaf Dairy ;
the
mountaintops of the Appalachians blown to pieces, and mining
residues flushed into waterways;
the
selection of Pastor Warner to issue the inaugural invocation stirs
great concern among the gay and lesbian community and its
supporters;
Attacks
on UAW workers to make great concessions in their $69/hour wage and
benefit package – compared
to the $54 million (over
$25,000.00/ hour)
wage and benefit package of the CEO of Goldman Sachs –
disparity of income is way beyond laughable, it is outrageous if not
criminal;
the
standard of care offered by local nursing homes dropping after the
privatization of our once county owned facility;
the
cost of higher education limiting attendance
the
85% of workers who are not happy with their jobs. – The
Despair - What has happened to the American dream?
These
and many more issues tug at my heart, but the principles of our
Democracy, of our Constitution, the Balance of Powers take the top -
their restoration is tantamount if and perhaps before our country can
aspire to a more positive future. That elected officials no longer
be held above the law. It is critical that we hold accountable those
who perpetrated those errors and crimes that have led us to such dire
straits – this mess known as the Bush Legacy.
Thomas
Friedman warns Obama to not get away from ‘the thing itself’
… the ‘core truths’ of these issues. It is when
you get away from the core truth about a situation – you get
into trouble.’ And so it is my ‘Audacity of Hope’
that we re-identify the core truths of Democracy and begin its
restoration. That Obama maintain his vision to redefine the
political landscape, moving away from detrimental partisanship, that
he identify the underlying truths of issues, and lead us out of this
mess.
But
an even greater hope is that We, as a People, rise to the challenges
facing us. That we all become involved in our community and
government making this restoration a truly grass-roots effort and
accomplishment. Electing this extraordinary candidate was the easy
part.
Kate
Schuette is returning Secretary of MantyDems and Editor of The
Manitowoc Progressive.
(This article appears in the January newsletter.)
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