Just The Beginning
Americans have spoken.
The election of Barack Obama follows a dramatic display of civic engagement led by the passion and interest of young voters and, arguably, their concern over the future of this country. So, what happens now that the campaign is over, the votes are cast and the candidate of forward-looking change awaits his inauguration? This, more than any other point during what seemed like an eternal presidential campaign, is the most important moment.
The United States faces the worst economic situation since the Great Depression, is involved in two wars overseas with little immediate exit opportunities and faces silently looming domestic crises in health care, social security, energy and infrastructure, to name just a few issues. The country remains at a crossroads; one election is not going to provide all of the solutions. Now, more than ever, Americans, no matter who they voted for in this election, must come together and work with a new president and Congress in a deliberative process to develop solutions towards our most critical problems. As young engaged citizens we have the most important responsibility: to mobilize ourselves and make changes to the democracy that we are inheriting.
One of the most used words during the 2008 presidential election season after, perhaps, “maverick,” “hope” and “Joe the Plumber” was “change,” but what is change, really? Is change the relatively simple act of changing the occupant of the White House from one political party to another? Is change aligning that new president with a united front on Capitol Hill? Can Americans trust that their elected officials alone will be responsible for the change that many voters passionately believed in?
In the post-Obama election America, at the dawn of a new era in our history, the answer is a resounding and unequivocal no. In the past, when Americans became frustrated with their government, they blamed them. Now, blame is no longer an option. The issues before this country are too great and the urgency to act too compelling.
If one still thinks that the American spirit needs revitalizing they merely have to look at the long lines on Election Day, the expansive lists of donors to both political candidates or the number of hits on some of the most popular political YouTube videos. Engagement breeds ownership and ownership denotes responsibility. Americans, especially young Americans, have proven their engagement through the 2008 elections, but now their work cannot stop. The same networks that were formed to get out the vote on Election Day can be used to rally support for renewable energy, health care or education. Moreover, with nearly a record of number of Americans casting ballots, the opportunity exists to analyze and make changes to the way elections are conducted in this country. Now is the time for voices to be heard, stories to be told and actions to be made.
The election of the first African American to lead the United States, with a large governing mandate from a new coalition of the electorate, is an inspiring moment for this country. Yet, inspiration is only the first step to propel us forward in this new time. Like a generation before who mobilized in the wake of the greatest threats during the Second World War, to another who in spite of Communist intimidation put a man on the moon in less than a decade, we must commit ourselves to joining a new America where cooperation is a precondition in decision-making and where levels of civic engagement breed responsive action from elected officials.
Americans have spoken but our voices are just beginning to be heard.
The election of Barack Obama follows a dramatic display of civic engagement led by the passion and interest of young voters and, arguably, their concern over the future of this country. So, what happens now that the campaign is over, the votes are cast and the candidate of forward-looking change awaits his inauguration? This, more than any other point during what seemed like an eternal presidential campaign, is the most important moment.
The United States faces the worst economic situation since the Great Depression, is involved in two wars overseas with little immediate exit opportunities and faces silently looming domestic crises in health care, social security, energy and infrastructure, to name just a few issues. The country remains at a crossroads; one election is not going to provide all of the solutions. Now, more than ever, Americans, no matter who they voted for in this election, must come together and work with a new president and Congress in a deliberative process to develop solutions towards our most critical problems. As young engaged citizens we have the most important responsibility: to mobilize ourselves and make changes to the democracy that we are inheriting.
One of the most used words during the 2008 presidential election season after, perhaps, “maverick,” “hope” and “Joe the Plumber” was “change,” but what is change, really? Is change the relatively simple act of changing the occupant of the White House from one political party to another? Is change aligning that new president with a united front on Capitol Hill? Can Americans trust that their elected officials alone will be responsible for the change that many voters passionately believed in?
In the post-Obama election America, at the dawn of a new era in our history, the answer is a resounding and unequivocal no. In the past, when Americans became frustrated with their government, they blamed them. Now, blame is no longer an option. The issues before this country are too great and the urgency to act too compelling.
If one still thinks that the American spirit needs revitalizing they merely have to look at the long lines on Election Day, the expansive lists of donors to both political candidates or the number of hits on some of the most popular political YouTube videos. Engagement breeds ownership and ownership denotes responsibility. Americans, especially young Americans, have proven their engagement through the 2008 elections, but now their work cannot stop. The same networks that were formed to get out the vote on Election Day can be used to rally support for renewable energy, health care or education. Moreover, with nearly a record of number of Americans casting ballots, the opportunity exists to analyze and make changes to the way elections are conducted in this country. Now is the time for voices to be heard, stories to be told and actions to be made.
The election of the first African American to lead the United States, with a large governing mandate from a new coalition of the electorate, is an inspiring moment for this country. Yet, inspiration is only the first step to propel us forward in this new time. Like a generation before who mobilized in the wake of the greatest threats during the Second World War, to another who in spite of Communist intimidation put a man on the moon in less than a decade, we must commit ourselves to joining a new America where cooperation is a precondition in decision-making and where levels of civic engagement breed responsive action from elected officials.
Americans have spoken but our voices are just beginning to be heard.
Labels: Transition
posted by Chris Golden @ 11:51 PM
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