The American Promise

Sometimes, people break away from the stupid and divisive, and surprise you — and themselves — by how much they can accomplish together (YouTube) instead of living in their past. Thought we could all do with a little inspiration from Wheeling, WV:

…The predominately elderly, white organizers who have run the county Democratic Party here for a generation were uneasy about integrating their operation with the Democratic presidential campaign, which was filled with new, unknown faces, many of them minorities….

…"now when I see the way people have really worked together and banded together, I see a different way."

"It’s a different era," she muses. "I accept it."

John "Big Dawg" Saunders is less sentimental. Now engaged in a union battle over 800 layoffs, he is watching the stock market in horror.

"Look, race is still an issue," blurts Saunders. "We’re not nearly where we should be, but when it got to your pocket book, that became the determining factor in this race."

"For now the race issue went away," he declares, with both eyes opened wide. "Race is gone, OK?"

You grow, you reach out, you learn, and you hopefully do better.  I am so glad that Obama’s grandmother, whose backbone of steel and love of family reminds me so much of my own beloved granny, lived to see this all happen for her grandson.

And for all of us.  Whatever the outcome, calling to something better in all of us is exactly what this nation needs more of these days.

PS — If you can, think about donating to Larry Kissell – or any of our other fine Blue America candidates – today.  The NRCC has gone all in for a lot of races, including pounding Larry’s district with ads for the odious Robin Hayes.  He could use a hand if you can give him one!  Better yet, get out there and work for candidates in your community.  

Less than two weeks until the election — what are you doing to make things better today?

Related posts:

1. The Public Option: A Promise Kept or a Promise Broken
2. Auto Retirees were Promised Health Care; GM Deal Breaks the Promise
3. Obama to (Finally) Fulfill One Promise, Release WH Visitor Logs
4. American Aparthood
5. Health Insurance Industry Doubles Down on Promise to Increase Premiums