In July of 2001, I had the opportunity to take my two young sons on a visit to Gettysburg. Knowing a fair amount of the history behind that sacred place, I could not help but reflect on the great struggle that occurred there, and of course, of the men who gave up their lives, and with them, all their future dreams of a long life with those they loved. The sacrifice of those brave citizens - our fellow citizens - even though separated by over a century of time, calls out to us and echoes down to this very day and to this critical time in our nation's history.
When the battle was done and the enormous toll in human life exacted, I'm sure there were many who saw the entire event solely in terms of winners and losers. It took a great (perhaps the greatest!) transformational leader in U.S. history - Abraham Lincoln - to remind the people of that time of the real reason why ordinary citizen-soldiers from all walks of life showed "the last full measure of devotion."
As we know, as we all learned somewhere in 5th grade (but some today would have us forget), our fellow citizens died to preserve a dream that had become a reality: a government that placed the destiny of the nation firmly in the hands of its people.
Government of the People began as a dream, became a reality, and was tested in the blood and fire of a great civil war. Dreams are not fairy tales. Dreams are very real, and they possess a power and momentum that can not be stopped once they take hold in the hearts and minds of a free people.
Barack Obama is the first person in my lifetime who has had the courage to remind us that the government is in our hands, that it is our responsibility to stand up and turn the dream of a better America into reality. And I believe that most people realize that to be American is to dream - not of what is, but of what could be. So, when I talk to people about Barack, I first ask them to look at what he stands for and listen to his message. I tell them that with Barack we can move beyond the ideological trench warfare that has left our system of government in shambles and so many of us deeply divided and distrustful of one another.
Can we do better? As Barack so eloquently reminded us: Yes we can!
Yours in Hope,
Gary
When I was 18 years old I registered to vote. I registered Republican. Now, at 45 years of age, I'm putting some thoughts down on record inspired by a presidential candidate who has spoken much about change.
Is "change" just another political catch-phrase? After all, many of the current presidential contenders are batting it around some much I imagine it is becoming more and more difficult for some to understand what it means precisely to each of the candidates.
I do sense that Barack's understanding of change is distinct from the others in that it presupposes a significant shift in the way we view our government, our nation, and ourselves as individuals. Change, in the Obamian sense, is truly radical. And, most astounding of all, it is garnering tremendous enthusiasm and support in a time of entrenched cynicism.
In the tradition of many great presidents - Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, JFK, Barack is seeking not so much change as transformation. The essence of America is the ability and willingness of her people to dream not of what was, but of what can be. Barack has awakened those dreams anew in the hearts of millions of our fellow citizens.
In a supreme dance of irony, I give the republicans all the credit for my transformation into an independent; they modeled for me exactly the kind of person I never want to become.
When we speak to people about Barack, perhaps we ought to remind them that he is the transformational leader of the 21st century, and the one who has inspired us to dream once again.
