I ran into a friend today in the metro asking the question what is happening to the change movement in this country and what are we going to do? She was one of many people in my network that have begun re-realize that the Democratic Party and the Obama administration can’t get it done alone, and “if we don’t do something soon to re-energize the voting base that voted for change in 2008, we are about to be in a world of trouble”. Our conversation made me ask myself the question, what happened to "Yes We Can".
During the 2008 campaign "Yes We Can" was the rallying crying of Obama supporters across the country. The chant gave word to supporters feeling that they had been empowered to play their part in addressing the many issues we face and working to move our country forward. For me it was reconnecting to my belief that we are stronger together than we are apart, and that collectively as a nation we can work together to re-build this country. When candidate Barack Obama said he was calling us to service we answered Yes We Can, when he reminded us that change will not come over night, but that if we committed ourselves to playing an active role in rebuilding our nation we would get there, we said Yes We Can.
Then we arrive at today where what were labeled as several key elections for Democrats haven't gone our way, healthcare reform is wavering, and the pundits have said the President and the Democratic party are in trouble. What has been our response? I can tell you it hasn't been, Yes We Can. It has been no he didn't. All I hear on blogs or television political shows is what the administration hasn't done and what the Democrats need to do.
My question is what happened to Yes We Can and when are those of us who actively supported the President's election going to ask ourselves what haven't we done and what we can do now to move the ball forward.
One year ago, many of us walked away from watching history being made on inauguration day saying we did it and silently adding to that, now let’s see what he can do. The reality is that President Obama can't and couldn't ever accomplish OUR change agenda alone. It is his job to govern and oversee the implementation of his policy agenda, but when we drew the line at the ballot box selecting Barack Obama as our President, it became our job to stand with him and press our legislators on Capitol Hill to step up to the plate and move the ball forward. It became our job to continue to talk to our neighbors, friends, and family about why they must remain engaged.
Yes politics is complicated and the political gaming that takes place on Capitol Hill wasn't going to end over night. However, if we stand by our commitment and do our part, we can keep the process of change moving forward.
The question to ask ourselves, is do we want to be successful in rebuilding this country and addressing the challenges we face, or were we simply out to win a campaign. Because if it is our desire to be successful in achieving real healthcare reform, rebuilding our economy, and decreasing carbon emissions, among others; then it is time for us to reclaim our call to action and get back to work.
What have you done lately to advance our
change agenda?
During the 2008 campaign "Yes We Can" was the rallying crying of Obama supporters across the country. The chant gave word to supporters feeling that they had been empowered to play their part in addressing the many issues we face and working to move our country forward. For me it was reconnecting to my belief that we are stronger together than we are apart, and that collectively as a nation we can work together to re-build this country. When candidate Barack Obama said he was calling us to service we answered Yes We Can, when he reminded us that change will not come over night, but that if we committed ourselves to playing an active role in rebuilding our nation we would get there, we said Yes We Can.
Then we arrive at today where what were labeled as several key elections for Democrats haven't gone our way, healthcare reform is wavering, and the pundits have said the President and the Democratic party are in trouble. What has been our response? I can tell you it hasn't been, Yes We Can. It has been no he didn't. All I hear on blogs or television political shows is what the administration hasn't done and what the Democrats need to do.
My question is what happened to Yes We Can and when are those of us who actively supported the President's election going to ask ourselves what haven't we done and what we can do now to move the ball forward.
One year ago, many of us walked away from watching history being made on inauguration day saying we did it and silently adding to that, now let’s see what he can do. The reality is that President Obama can't and couldn't ever accomplish OUR change agenda alone. It is his job to govern and oversee the implementation of his policy agenda, but when we drew the line at the ballot box selecting Barack Obama as our President, it became our job to stand with him and press our legislators on Capitol Hill to step up to the plate and move the ball forward. It became our job to continue to talk to our neighbors, friends, and family about why they must remain engaged.
Yes politics is complicated and the political gaming that takes place on Capitol Hill wasn't going to end over night. However, if we stand by our commitment and do our part, we can keep the process of change moving forward.
The question to ask ourselves, is do we want to be successful in rebuilding this country and addressing the challenges we face, or were we simply out to win a campaign. Because if it is our desire to be successful in achieving real healthcare reform, rebuilding our economy, and decreasing carbon emissions, among others; then it is time for us to reclaim our call to action and get back to work.
What have you done lately to advance our
change agenda?
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