Something of Substance

It is a few hours before the second presidential debate. I am decided, but not impressed. I heard what Obama said in the first campaign. I read what he wrote. As he feathered hope in our caps for what WE could do, he emerged as the one who could lead us. It was a tall order. If there is failure, we failed too. All of us. We failed to courageously confront injustice at every opportunity. I failed. I didn't always speak up and I didn't push forward in my community at times when I could have.

In politics, parties prevailed (which is always ugly.) As Lincoln said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Our president took many opportunities to lead and made some wise and courageous decisions. He also made some weak and ineffective decisions (apparently trying too hard to please.)Too many times, he surrendered where he might have fought for the poor, the marginalized and for the world. The last debate simply magnified where he has fallen short. We need him to stand up tonight. We need him to be our president. Pliable statistics will not do! We need to hear about hope and opportunity and our successes. We need to hear about this world where people are recognizing their worth and claiming their space. We need something of substance!


 And after he exits the room tonight (if we believe him), then we need to follow him. Not just to the voting booth, but to the mountain! We need to take on what is ours to carry. We cannot wait to hear about the bills we want to pass. We need to find the front lines and stand there in solidarity. Steps have been taken: to challenge the military-industrial complex, to create a safety net within a healthy competitive marketplace, to be stewards of the earth and to ensure that folks from all walks of life have access to the things we all deserve as children of a loving God. Let's walk together FORWARD, as they say, and make our country a better place by electing a leader who understands the value of all people in a democracy and welcomes all as participants. Let's help him get there!