The favorite phrase of the Republican contingent in Washington, D.c., has been "9/11 changed everything!" ever since 9/11. And yet, when so many of us were poised to pitch in to help in that awful time, we were told by our president, "Go and shop!"
When Katrina devastated New Orleans, so many of us stepped up to provide shelter and aid to those whose whole lives had been destroyed. It was an outpouring of love and responsibility and the fellowship of being an American helping other Americans.
When the tsunami destroyed miles of beach and seashore in south and southeast Asia, we Americans stepped up and sent donations of money and materials.
For a very long time, we Americans have been wanting to a chance to DO something, to contribute, to help, to have an actual part in our political and social processes, to help shape our nation. Eight years of Republican rule have done nothing to make us feel as if we are an actual part of our own country, but rather have helped to make us feel as if we were cogs in the machine of commerce, our only value lying in how we could enrich the corporations that produce gewgaws we don't really need that fulfill needs we didn't know we had until the corporations told us we did in advertisements.
We have two presidential candidates on the Democratic side now, in this primary season. One tells us what SHE will do if elected. The other tells us what WE will do if he's elected.
This is the difference between Clinton and Obama. Obama supporters aren't cultists, or naive, or stupid, or blinded by good looks and empty inspiration. We are a people looking for someone who wants to give us something important to do. We are a people who want to take part in our own political life. We are a people whose desire for service is being ignored by 1/2 of the Democratic candidates, and being honored by the other 1/2.
Service is, I believe as someone who was raised Catholic, a fundamental need for all human beings. Our opportunities for service that affected our political life have been suppressed for a very long time. I'm happy to support the candidate who offers us...no, who challenges us to serve both ourselves and our neighbors, who challenges us to do more than just tick a lever or fill in a bubble on a Tuesday in November. I'm proud to offer service with a hopeful smile.