Ms T looked comfortable, just like she had gone to sleep and was having the greatest dream. Maybe that's how it was? She went dreaming of so long ago when she was young, a girl, and how she and her husband were young together. How happy they were when her son came along and how sad when he went off to New York. She may have remembered teaching the third grade, could be she remembered the things some of the people that she spent her last night on earth with did when they were in her class.
Ms T had experienced clarity not uncommon for those whose last moments are upon them:
She was old enough to remember a time in America when people got along with each other, at least better than they do today. When you could turn
on the radio or television and hear real news, not sparring media personalities driving wedges ever deeper between folks for the sake of ratings. Elections were just as rancorous but were over when the votes were counted and the losers didn't bring government to a halt out of spite.
She probably remembered the tremendous racism and bigotry of the post war years when minorities were denied rights guaranteed them by the constitution. Some pride would have been on her mind as she thought of the movements of many great men and women who worked within the system to right those wrongs. America was a place where democracy met every challenge and those that used force were eventually brought to justice.
No one jumped up in a joint session of Congress and called the President of the United States a liar. Mobs did not parade in the citadel of democracy with signs displaying racism in bold letters. Ideologues existed, but never overcame the inner strength of the millions of ordinary Americans who have proven over and over again that they are the guardians of democracy, not political parties.
As the very last seconds ticked away, I think she would have drawn her thoughts to this conclusion:
No matter how well intentioned or how sure of their cause, those who dig in their heels and say to social progress, "this far and no further", must be overcome. There can be no compromise or platitudes espousing the value of bipartisanship in the name of expediency. The moment calls for firmness, not temerity; commitment, not irresolution and action not inaction.
All living things and their institutions earn their right to exist by comporting to the rules of nature and whatever whims and follies may be tossed onto their path. The universe will tolerate false steps, bad timing and all manner of faults endemic to living things, but its judgment of those who wring their hands and march backwards is extinction.
Author's Note:
President Obama is a historical President. He has proven himself honest, competent and committed to an agenda he rightly sees as essential to the nation's well being. But he suffers what may be termed manic-practicality. There are many examples of this: willingness to trade the public option for a half loaf, or no loaf if Republicans have their way; willingness to compromise with men who hate him and everything he stands for; and willingness to expand a war against the better advice of those who elected him.
The critical strategy failing of his Administration has been the assumption that hard won victories in the halls of Congress will translate into electoral success. Creating a law before convincing the people of its need is putting the cart before the horse. And jeopardizing his presidency for the sake of his agenda, however noble this may seem, will ultimately result in the loss of both.
The President must accept that Republicans are his sworn enemies, not just a contrary opposition. Any well intentioned cajoling or appeals to their better nature will only be met with derision and loss of respect.
His prospects for success in 2012 will be in direct proportion to his success in exposing and discrediting the Republican Party. The rest of his agenda may have to wait for his second term.
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