The Politics of Hope

The Progressive Vision

If we provide them with a clear choice—between the politics of hope and the politics of fear—they stand with us.

For investing in schools rather than tax cuts on the rich
For health care as a right, not a privilege
For defending Social Security, Medicare, the public school, the national parks
For an America that leads; that finds its security in collective security, not as a 'globocop' seeking to police the world
For raising the minimum wage, empowering workers and holding corporations accountable
For fair trade rather than corporate free trade
A renewed democracy over crony capitalism and big-money politics
Energy independence over big oil subsidies
Choice, equal opportunity, civil rights, environmental protection—these are mainstream values now.

We can build an America where full employment comes first, and the blessings of prosperity and growth are widely shared.

We can build an America where every child gets the nutrition and health care and pre-school needed to make equal opportunity a reality from the start.

We can build an America that guarantees its citizens affordable health care and the highest quality public education.

We can build an America that builds a democracy that is a beacon to the world. That secures its people without trampling their liberties. That celebrates voting and service, and guarantees that every vote will count and be counted.

We can build an America that addresses its situations before they become calamities.

This is not an impossible dream. Last weekend, we celebrated the sacrifice of the Greatest Generation in World War II. That generation, raised in the Depression, steeled in the war, shared service and sacrifice. The wealthiest paid taxes of over 90 percent to help pay for that war. African Americans left segregated communities to fight for this country. Japanese Americans left intern camps They came home and passed the GI bill opening up college and training to an entire generation. They subsidized housing to create the American dream. They organized unions to insure that profits and productivity were shared. For 25 years, they built the broad middle class that made America strong, and we all grew together.

The contrast between that generation and the current crowd is apparent. After 9/11, when Americans yearned for unity and clamored to serve, the president could have challenged all of us. He might have said as we track down those who committed this act, we will act to eliminate our dependence on Persian Gulf oil, announce a 10-year Apollo New Energy program to invest in renewable and efficiency, and enlist every American to join in that effort.

Instead he told us to hug our children and go shopping. And then pushed to bailout the airlines while doing nothing for the workers that they laid off.

Americans deserve better than this. The Right has failed. Our time has come.