New realities well met create the dreams of the future

Every thirty years or so in this young and powerful country there has been a progressive or semi-progressive upwelling to clean things up a bit, shake them up a bit, and move things awkwardly forward. Like a gigantic teen with coordination problems we seem to have managed a few moments of brilliance and genuine moments of change. For some reason, for the first time (at least in modern history), this progressive hiccup has been skipped. Clinton's "bridge to the 21st century" was coopted into a blithe economism.

I think we progressive leaners have all sensed that this is our time for change, not just because we "want" it, but because it is being thrust upon us and we desire to meet the challenge of our time. What we are getting is people who seem to think we can run out the clock, keep our noses clean, etc. and things will turn around. Obama was called a "once in a generation leader" by Ted Kennedy. It appeared that the confluence of Obama's promise (metaphorically and literally) combined with the times would open the door to recognize that change is upon us in a way that really required a bold new mindset and direction. Instead we seem to be getting retreaded conventional wisdom which is predictably proving itself to be unworkable and unequal to the demands and opportunity of the time.

Yes, I am somewhat selfish in that I would like to experience one progressive moment in my civically conscious life. (I was about 9 when the Vietnam War ended and a few years older when the ERA was defeated.) I realize that the resistance to the necessary changes now are signs of the probable immensity of the shifts we are being brought to globally and nationally. I am patient and perceptive, but problems do not solve themselves. Big problems and big changes need big leaders who not only inspire but push to recognize the nature of our challenge in practical terms. Obama's response in this regard and that of the Democratic party has been undoubtedly tepid.

They seem to be signaling that they are not up to the challenge and Republicans smell blood in the water. They are as effective as an opposition party as they are lousy as a governing party. The question is, "Who will govern in a manner appropriate these times?" I'm beginning to think it will simply have to be us working on the local level, grooming and supporting candidates, and creating our own positive change. Notice Obama and Rahm have completely abandoned the "house party" and local organizing roots they used to get themselves and Democrats elected. We were told he would need us to push for essentially progressive change and that he would have our back. For whatever reason, compromise, DC realities, too much on his plate, Obama has not done this. So it now gets thrown back to us. Is it too much to ask to have a champion, and not simply to be doing all the hard work ourselves with a hope that my son will have a brighter world, based in the reality of the changes we face as a foundation not an impediment to our greatest dreams?