On Tuesday, when the polls close we will not find ourselves sighing, “almost…so close.” We will not let our patriotism…our unity…our visions and plan for a better, stronger, and more secure America be broken by the extreme right-wing political strategists and religious extremists. We will not let them destroy our hope. We have not been dreaming. We are wide awake. Awakened to an administration that would rather wage an unjust ware than ensure that our workers’ toil be fore fair wages. Awakened to a congress held stagnant by partisan hackery and a refusal to compromise locally-held values with the overall common good of our nation. Awakened to an economy cheated into dysfunction by corporate greed and immorality, encouraged by tax loopholes and favors handed over to lobbyists in place of fair, responsible, and reserved use of regulations. Awakened to a society that has been manipulated and misled by our government to bicker, prejudge, and attempt to restrict one another’s rights and civil liberties, rather than fight together for the shared promise of an even greater America for all its citizens. But being awake is only the beginning of this new day in our nation. Today, it is time to get to work.
Our hope must inspire action. We can not hold our government accountable for their failures, if we allow ourselves to fail too in bringing about the change we need. We must work together. We must reach out and inspire the same action in others who share our love for America. We must meet political and cultural differences with compassion and understanding, and teach the power and importance of bringing out in one another all that we have in common, and not that which divides us. And we must declare – declare and demand – that our next President will also work for the best in all of us, rather than playing on the worst of our divisive, basest impulses, and will serve for our liberty, justice, and common good for all.
I am sick and tired of being called “naïve” and “inexperienced,” and being told that I “don’t understand” just because I do not agree with John McCain. I have experienced more than enough to hold our leaders accountable for their decisions, actions, and words. I understand that the Presidency requires incredible responsibility and proven ability. I also understand that John McCain has dodged and shirked much of the responsibility of a Senator to always serve for our ideals, and not for political advantage at the expense of the common good. I understand that John McCain has repeatedly proven himself to lack the judgment to stand up for America’s best interests. And yet he still tries to belittle me solely because he has been in Congress longer, and has made more decisions through his long career. But the quantity of decisions made, bills sponsored, votes placed, and stands taken is all but inconsequential…what we rely on is not the lengths of our leaders’ political careers or the number of experiences they have had in office, but the quality of their character, their drive to do what is right for America, and their consistency in serving with honor, with honesty, and always with good judgment. Barack Obama has proven to us that he never sets aside his best judgment, and has remained committed to our nation throughout ever moment and every decision of his career. And this unfaltering dedication, insight, and understanding are why Obama is exactly the right person to lead our nation through these times of crucial change.
This election is not about choosing between Democrats or Republicans, liberal or conservative, left or right, progressive or reactionary. This election is about our ability to call for real change, and our moral obligation to make it happen. Barack Obama is not just our best option, but the only candidate who can and will lead all of us through the change we need. Whether you agree or disagree with every plank of his entire political platform, Barack Obama will stand for you, and you will share in the benefit that he will help bring to all Americans.
Today is a day for change. Today is a day to look within ourselves, at our neighbors and fellow Americans, and at the world around us, and to seize on this moment, this opportunity to make our future better. Today—and everyday—we embody the full potential of the American Dream, and like our greatest generations before us we will pull this dream ever closer to becoming a full reality. We will push ourselves and this great nation ever closer to living up to our ideals.
Barack Obama shares these ideals. And with our work, support, and allegiance – not just toward this presidential campaign but through a continuing dedication to serving our communities and our nation day after day, year after year, president after president, and generation after generation – we will succeed. We will continue to build an even greater America. Because we are America.
Barack Obama will lead us with Passion, devotion, and honor. But President Obama will not be the only one who helps us achieve this dream for a better future. We the people must come together to serve our nation alongside our President. From entering public service to teaching our kids, advocating for just causes, and contributing to business which strengthens our economy and fulfils our needs – and yes, even community organizing – we will join President Obama in leading together. We will lead our nation to the future that we and our children deserve. We can change our nation. We will change our world. Nothing is beyond our reach, if we work together to make these changes that we believe in, and that we need.
In his Annual Message to Congress on December 3, 1861, Abraham Lincoln underscored the lasting importance of the decisions facing a country at a crossroads, “The struggle of today is not altogether for today — it is for a vast future also.”
This time, on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, we must look back together on constant effort, commitment, and work to ensure that America votes for the best candidate for the office of the Presidency. And we must look forward together to continued contribution, dedication, and progress. This way, we will not be sighing, “almost…so close.” We will cheer together. We will declare together that we have just begun to take part in the proud story that is American History. And together we will realize an ever greater American Future.
Together, we will continue today, tomorrow, November 4, January 20, and every day in between and after. We will continue to strengthen this nation and its ideals. We will continue to hope, to dream, to unite, and to pursue this vision of an even greater America. We will continue to work to ensure a better future. Yes. We Can. And yes. We will.
“Today democracy, liberty, and equality are words to fool the people. No nation can progress with such ideas. They stand in the way of action. Therefore we frankly abolish them. In the future, each man will serve the interest of the state with absolute obedience. Let he who refuses beware.”
- Charlie Chaplin, The Great Dictator (1940)
