I did not know Senator Kennedy. I am not from Massachusetts. I read through the many comments of the day and asked myself - have I even written much that even touched on his work? I can't credibly weep or mourn or swap stories. All I can do is consider ways we might be able to carry his fight forward.
I think we need a new banner. A new standard to wave ahead of us as we - LIBERALS - march progress forward, following Senator Kennedy's example - doing right by all the people, even those who oppose us and despise our efforts at every turn. But that's okay. We can take it. We're LIBERALS.
So what do we have to work with, now that our lion is gone?
The 2006 was a strong call for change in Washington. The 2008 election was an even stronger call. How's our driving so far?
Well... from here it looks like too many Democrats continue to seek common ground with those who compromised our principles. Common cause with the Constitution and the American people should be compelling enough. We need to be more jealous of our representation. They came to the dance because we voted them there. They might want to remember one thing.
The American people have a simple goal: the elevation of leaders worthy of their trust, and the expeditious removal of those who are not. They apply their good will and hard work to make this goal happen every two years. They don't have to vote for the same person again, either, if they don't like the dance steps.
They expect the representatives of the people to live up to their commitment to represent the people. Under the principles under which this Republic was founded, choosing among the many practical ways available to advance the public good, because - it cannot be made more clear -
There is no downside to making the phrase 'a shining city on the hill' a reality. All it takes is a willingness to do the right thing, to sacrifice for a greater good that includes everyone. There is no progress that excludes races, religions...or, yes them too, Republicans. It is progress for all, or none.
Many are concerned about where the money will come from to pay for this shining city. That's a fair question. I'll tell them where it will come from.
The wealth currently being pillaged from the government of the people, to further enrich a super-wealthy few, should henceforth be retained for the benefit of the people. A banker might tell you that wealth comes from managing risk. A landowner might tell you it comes from natural resources and the usefulness of property. But without labor, no one takes out loans. No one invests. No one buys land and even if it was given them it would be no differently exploited than it is by the flora and fauna without labor.
Wealth comes from the hard work of America's workers and entrepreneurs, all of which whom suffer when an incorporation document has more rights than a citizen.
We must bring government closer to the people, to make it more responsive and accountable. The town halls of late started out as exceptionally uncomfortable experiences. Why? Because we were too close to power? Hardly! Because so many do not want the people close to power, and they are willing to risk violence to shut the needful conversations of America down. The good news is that good people want to talk, want to listen, want to work it out as one nation - contentious for sure, and I think we always shall embrace our spiritedness as a badge of pride - but one nation nevertheless. I think because it is inherently democratic, the town hall experience is inherently good for progress - and given who LIBERALS are these days - that means it's good for Democrats.
The people WANT a government that plays an important role in helping those who can't help themselves. The acrimony surrounding health care reform is not the litmus test of our Republic. This test we took not so long ago - and we failed this test utterly.
How did we fail? We let the Republicans kill a major U.S. city. We let them laugh about it and walk away. We all failed New Orleans. We failed its rights, its lives, its health, its rightful place in our compassion. I was resistant to the message not so long ago but it is true - We. All. Failed. NOLA. The Republicans failed it gladly and boldly. The Democrats failed to take them to task for this abomination.
The Republican THINK they know how far they can push us now. When you wonder how far the right will push you before you break on health care, remember that they killed a major American city, a Democratic city, right before your very eyes - and you did nothing. Oh, surely you donated, surely you volunteered, surely you did all the proper activist and progressive things. But you did not fight. You did call on champions or if you did, they failed you. And you did not seek replacements when your brethren on the Gulf Coast needed them most. But you did not really fail them. You failed yourselves. And the Republicans saw, and looked down their shirts, and hid their smiles.
This is how they see it.
We need to prove the Republicans WRONG about this. We are so not giving up the fight. Not. Even. Close. We are so fighting this.
You might think health care is the banner issue of the future. It's the goal, not the banner. To 'electrify the heart', as Napoleon would say, we need - well, we need something French.
We must rebuild New Orleans. This one act, this one declaration will remind all the world that Americans take care of their own, rather than leave them to die on their own streets and make excuses for doing so. We must always remember that when people are hurting, they need a caring leadership, responsible to the needs of the people. The American people - they will not rally to higher life expectancy, lower infant mortality and easier access to medical procedures. Reconstruction is something that American understand. The Republicans, who in their strange way made themselves the embittered children of Jim Crow, understand its implications perfectly.
Again, health care is the goal - the society that cares for its own. But if you want health care and all the rest, rebuild the city - not the one on the hill but the one by the sea. Every other challenge you see in the endless struggle with the Republicans will be as nothing after that.
So, what to do, once we start making America right by healing the great spear wound left by Katrina?
Stop treating affordable national healthcare like it was leprosy. Get. It. Done.
So long as no progress has been made in this matter, Congress is complicit in causing great harm to the American people, for negligence can be just as deadly as incompetence and malicious intent.
The American people expect more of their leaders, far more than the ones who claim to be American leaders seemingly expect of themselves.
This can yet be a fruitful time for our nation. Democrats and Republicans can yet come together to find ways to help make America a more secure, prosperous and hopeful society. Hope was born in many hearts last November. Many Americans, long marginalized and mocked by the Republicans from their perches, felt themselves part of their own country again. Such people will not lose their sense of empowerment lightly, or have their will disparaged or denied, not ever again.
Now, for sure, the Beckists feel marginalized. Let them. It's their turn. Ignore them. They cannot possibly hurt you without ending themselves. Oh, they might talk tough, and they might smile as they admire their private stashes of guns and ammo. They might be loud and proud on friendly hate radio and cable television stations, but they tempt the wrath of the vast majority of their fellow Americans at their own peril. People don't tolerate living near rabid animals. They get concerned for their kids. They're weird like that.
To our leaders - You have the makings of a great place in history within your grasp. The American people have entrusted you with public office at a momentous time for our nation. Do not fail them. Do the right thing.
So, one more time.. why bring New Orleans into this? Because we need a banner issue the one that covers not just health care but all the bases - and all the ways that our vision, the LIBERAL vision for America - is the better one. For it is our declared purpose as progressives.. no, eff that.. as LIBERALS is to rebuild America into a better city.
A shining city. Not a shining city on the hill but a shining city by the sea. With lights and sounds of music and laughter, and the sounds of merriment and family, good food and good times, trade and prayer, freedom and love, sent out for all the world to see and hear.
We know where that city lies. We know the wet paving block that will be the cornerstone of the rest of American history...it is strong, proud stone, and the history of the Republic to be? It will be strong and proud as well.
That vision includes an American people who by the end of this century live on average 100 years, most of that long span at level of vitality that contemporary 30 year olds would like to have.
And it will be easily affordable, even natural. It won't even be exceptional in the developed world of that time.
That's the liberal vision for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The private health care system cannot deliver this. It cannot charge you enough to deliver this. At best it will produce 90 year lifespans...for a very few people...at incredible cost. And the rest of the world - much much more it than now - will wonder "What happened to Americans? They used to be so advanced. People still die of cancer and Alzheimer's there do you believe that?"
That's the best the conservatives can give your grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I happen to like our shining city a lot more.
I think most Americans would agree.
I would like to think Senator Kennedy would as well.