Together we can hold to the vision of economic justice, political justice, and a better future for our children and our children’s children.
It is so important to remember that good things do not just happen; improvements in our communities and our state and our nation only occur when enough people are willing to work together, work hard, and imagine a better life.
There is not one of us who can – or will – fight for goals we cannot imagine.
My challenge to you is to reread FDR’s first inaugural address http://www.bartleby.com/124/pr… , and his four freedoms http://www.wwnorton.com/colleg…
Then think about what is “freedom from want” and “freedom from fear” – and how much are they worth – to you?
The reason that income inequality and concentrated capital matter is that our children’s futures are hostage to a form of hoarding. Hoarded capital does not lead to capitalism in the sense of new enterprise or jobs – and America was founded as a kind of anti-aristocracy, not a recreation of the permanently stratefied society of Old England.
As we go forth into 2011, it is my hope that you and I will first imagine better schools, better roads, and a fair revenue system – and then work for them. To live free, we must be willing to be brave, imaginative – and restructure revenue with a goal to make the future better for everyone possible, including those who cannot help themselves without a helping hand.
charley-on-the-mta says
affordable health care; clean energy becoming absolutely commonplace; a thriving economy of innovation, imagination, and integrity.
amberpaw says
I read this story and realized – I want a solar roof or at least one panel, to start.
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p>Imagine – one solar panel means better grades, and a payback of less the three months.
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p>Who knew that grid independence was happening, in this viral way?
mannygoldstein says
Thanks.
somervilletom says
Sadly, we need the society and electorate that put FDR in office, supported his programs, and embraced the peaceful revolution he accomplished.
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p>Politics, especially presidential politics, is a lagging (rather than leading) indicator.
mannygoldstein says
Unlike FDR, he did not follow through.
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p>Big problem.
heartlanddem says
Deep bow of respect and appreciation to Amber Paw for raising our consciousness and level of discourse another notch higher.
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p>Passionate and compelling words move people. Amber goes many steps beyond (as do hundreds of others who participate in this blog and other communities) to bring those words into daily action with her work.
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p>I am also reminded that Thomas Jefferson once said,