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3 February 08
A dream is a simple thing. A common element among humans and essential to our well being, for it is from our dreams that hope finds a way to reside in our human hearts. We long for a better tomorrow, if not for ourselves, than for our children. While our dreams may differ, there are essential aspects that do not and it is these aspects that tie us together and identify us as a collective species.
In a very real sense, our Democratic political process, represents our individual dreams for our Nation. Flaws, warts and all, the process allows your vote, your ballot, to be nothing less than a reflection of a personal desire for a candidate that you believe will move toward your dream of a better life.
I dream of a Nation I shall never see. A far off land across the abyss of time, to where I can do nothing but help build the foundation of a bridge over which the masses of humanity will one day walk. It is a Nation that many do not want and for every stone that is laid, they will remove two. In their fear, they will destroy a magnificent potential that humanity exhibits on an occasional glimpse. Those who fear change, who fear loss of what and who they are and what they have, propagate a myth that humans can never cross the bridge because we are too frail, to consumed with our own personal egos and individual agendas. That true equality will never exist because our hearts, our souls, while capable of noble ambitions, are not capable of the toil and dedication that our ambitions require.
My dream is not of a realm of perfection and eternal bliss. Such concepts are left to the afterlife, or those who fail to comprehend our human condition. I dream a simpler dream, of a land where humans recognize the ills of their own humanity and work together to cure their ills, knowing full well they will never see their work come to pass, but always believing their children and their children's children will.
I am a dreamer and I am a believer in the best Humanity has to offer. I am also a realist and realize that at times the best that Humanity has to offer, is simply not enough. There have been times in our history when great men of vision have spoke and we have not listened, and there have been times when we have been moved by their dreams, of their words for a better tomorrow. Not a perfect tomorrow, but simply a different and better tomorrow, not necessarily for our benefit, but certainly for our children.
I have argued passionately that our Nation is, and has been, without leadership and vision. That there are those who benefit at the expense of those who toil and sweat under the false pretense of equality and justice. Our Nation cannot endure without a vision and a dream that all can work toward, in some form and in some fashion. Men and women of vision must be heard, without ridicule, fear and prejudice.
This Nation must change no matter how fearful we are of losing what we have, for what we have is a near illusion that traces back to a time and place populated by generations of our ancestors, that has little bearing on the complexities of today's world. Our world today has within it's potential to actually reflect the best of Humanity in ways past generations have not. Where our forefathers dreamed and laid the foundation, we are the first generation that has the potential to build the house they dreamed of building.
This election is already of historical significance in that both a Woman and an American African are running for the Presidency. The fact speaks clearly of change, when considering that there were in the beginning, white, intelligent and viable men running for the nomination. Hillary Clinton is a formidable force to contend with and she might well get the nomination and then the Presidency and I believe she will work within the political system to get things done. Unfortunately, that is politics as usual and not much of a change. Her best bet would be to tell her husband to stay home, then dig into her heart and soul, roll up her sleeves, and start rebuilding America, starting with the political system she represents. I don't believe she'll do it because Hillary is a political animal and she'd be hard pressed to destroy and rebuild something she truly loves, because that love blinds her to what is happening in out Nation.
On the other hand, Barack Obama gets 'it'. My only concern is can he walk the talk? If he is that kind of man, we won't know until it's too late and we'll be worse off for it. I suspect he is capable and I'm impressed with his vision. If he is able to back up his words, Obama can and will effect change in ways that might not be understood for a decade or two, perhaps even generations.
The question is, how bad do you really want things to change?
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