Reading Krugman's column today (how happy am I that NY Times op-eds are free again!) about Edwards got me to thinking about what his campaign represented... and to me it seems that it was historically significant in many ways, much more than most typical presidential campaigns. His message seems to have caught on... and set the tone not just for this year's presidential campaign, but the tone of politics for the next decade.
At least I hope. :)
Edwards showed real leadership in the campaign and pushed issues to the foreground, forcing the others to follow suit. Except perhaps for Dodd, the others were perfectly happy to play it safe... portray themselves as Republican-lite... which worked so well for us four years ago. Edwards said "nuh uh", and boldly pushed his plans: universal healthcare, reducing the influence of big money, bringing power back to the people, and he did so without any hint of trepidation or cautiousness. He said, "this is what I believe in and I'm proud of it!" And you know what? A lot of people agreed with him. And more than just voting against the Republicans, they became excited and passionate about politics again. Once again, they remembered what it was like to hope, to have something to fight for.
The most crushing aspect of the 2004 elections was that it made us believe that most of the country despised our ideals. That the country did not believe in justice and decency. That the country did not care about the poor and the needy, but were perfectly happy to allow the rich to use their influence to siphon even more money towards themselves. That corporate interests were more important than individual rights. That it was ok to suppress any inconvenient reports by the FDA, EPA and the FCC so that big money would not be impeded from steamrolling over the interests and lives of normal people, even as they hasten our planet into a crisis which we may never be able to reverse. We believed that our country had no problem with cronyism and corruption, that it was just the way things were. We watched as our government violated civil rights, did away with cornerstone principles like habeas corpus, tortured innocents without a trial (as if torturing anyone with a trial was acceptable either), and cared little for the lives of our soldiers and Iraqi citizens.
We sat as everyone in the media made fun of us and demonized us and ridiculed our beliefs, while crying out that the establishment was biased in our favor. They called us traitors and told us that we didn't care about our troops, while in the next breath portraying our soldiers, and anyone who complained about how they were being treated, as stupid and weak and easily manipulated. They ignored reports of thousands of soldiers coming home with severe mental problems, scoffed at the idea that 200,000 veterans were homeless because of mental and physical injuries they had sustained in this and previous wars, fought against pay increases and benefits, and against making sure that they had enough training and rest before being sent into service, all the while cheering them on as they are forced to return yet again for another tour of duty, more than they ever signed up for.
When Edwards fought back, we realized that we were not the minority. That heck, a lot of people think like we do. More than we thought there were. When he spoke about our worries and reflected our ideals, we began to hope again that maybe we can take our country back, that we can make a difference. We were given that small glimmer of hope that all was not lost, and that glimmer has become much more than just a glimmer. So even if others may have taken that message and run with it, the message is out there nonetheless, and it is a message that is igniting into a revolution.
The fifties was a generation of service... "ask not what your country can do... " - progress was made by altruism
The sixties was a generation of idealism and freedom - our definition of progress is all wrong
The seventies was a generation of anger and rebellion - progress is being taken away from us
The eighties was a generation of greed and "me first" - progress is made by making myself succeed
The nineties was a generation of cynicism - progress? why bother
The um... 00's was a generation of corruption and fear - if you don't make progress, you die
I hope that the 10's will be a generation of community... not of selflessness, but of the recognition that the good of the community is the best way to further oneself. I hope that the 10's will be the "One Boat" generation: Progress is made if everyone gets there together.