'Don't overreach,' pundits and beaten Republicans warn the new administration before it even takes office.
Don't 'overreach'? Are you kidding?
This whole election was about 'overreaching'! It was about stretching ourselves, as individuals and a nation. It was about getting off our butts and taking part in fixing and improving America. It wasn't just about grand dreams for a better country & world; it was about all of us getting down to work to make it happen.
Because 'overreaching' is part of the American narrative.
The American narrative starts with 'overreaching' immigrants and pioneers who launched a bold experiment to build a democratic nation in the New World. Today's narrative boasts of entrepreneurs in basements and garages, with few resources but hard work and grand dreams. It includes sports, where both kids and adults learn about hard work and excellence and the need to push themselves just a little harder if they want to succeed. It includes successful inner-city schools where students are not only encouraged to 'overreach' but required to.
Americans love underdogs. And underdogs only achieve if they, yes, overreach.
One of the saddest missed opportunities of the last 8 years came just after the September 11 attacks, when a nation was ready to sacrifice and work toward something better. People lined up to give blood. Strangers banded together in a show of community. But our president asked sacrifice only of the military. The rest of us were told to go shopping.
There's more to America than consumerism. We showed that last week.
Republicans took away the wrong lessons when they saw some past leaders fail while telling us the "truth" instead of what we "wanted to hear." They concluded that the public should be treated as children to be pacified. But the problem wasn't those realistic messages. The problem was messages delivered in a way that brought us down, without inspiring us to believe that there was a path toward a brighter future.
This nation craves leadership that demands us to work hard for a better America.
A nation is ready to stretch ourselves and work toward excellence and achieving our full potential. So, please, President-elect Obama. 'Overreach.'