I use these examples not to argue for quieter voices, nor to argue for a so-called “moderation’ of anyone’s views.  Indeed, I have my own personal quarrels with positions taken by many, no, by ALL of our political leaders.  But Nancy Pelosi is not the enemy, nor is Mike Madigan, nor are the congressional Democrats.  And actually, (as difficult as it may be to believe), the enemy is not some  generic group we label “Republicans”. Not all Republicans are the culprits.  For our real enemy, I want to nominate “cynicism”. 

The cynicism that concerns me is the false lesson taught by Cheney-Bush Republicans that government is inherently bad, that government is incapable of competently providing a safety-net for our citizens. Most of us know better. Cynicism is the false lesson taught by erstwhile allies that tell us there is no difference between Republicans and Democrats.  No difference between Newt Gingrich and Nancy Pelosi?  No difference between Tom DeLay and Rahm Emanuel? Please.

The truth is, we, all of us, helped change the world in 2006, when we voted to begin the end of American involvement in the Iraqi Civil War that Cheney-Bush started.  We, all of us, helped change the world in 2006 when we put into place a Congress that finally raised the minimum wage and ended the repeated tax cuts for the wealthy that are ripping our country apart.  We, all of us, helped change the world in 2006 when we put a halt to the horrible parade of right-wing ideologues being placed on the courts.  Change was not brought about by attacking other Democrats who may not follow the exact path of reform you or I support, or who may go at a different pace.  The answer then, as now, is to put into office more Democrats—and worthwhile ones.  Whether the issue is global warming or education or our Middle East policies or health care, the Republicans, anti-government party that they are, have no solutions.  For too many Republicans, Republican policy is to not have a policy; the Republican plan is to not plan. 

Our task is to make sure that we elect more Democrats and better Democrats.  In 2006, Northfield Township carried for almost all Democrats, but we lost in the race for Governor, County Board President, and Congress.  For two of those offices, the party choices (Blagojevich and J. Stroger) had lost the March primary in the township, so we were warned about their weaknesses.  On the other hand, all of us were pleased to have a quality candidate like Dan Seals running for Congress—but despite a great effort, we narrowly failed to carry for him.  Democrats of Northfield Township need to work hard for great Democratic candidates like Dan; people who run for office for all the right reasons.  Most current Democrats (though regrettably not all) qualify. Finally, we need to believe in the good that government can do and fight for that belief—not just on Election Day, but every day.  And we need to believe in ourselves and the power we have. 

The least cynical of all was Plutarch, who spoke of politics like this: “They are wrong who think that politics is like an ocean voyage…something to be done with some particular end in view, something which leaves off as soon as that end is reached. It is not a public chore, to be got over with. It is a way of life….and it lasts as long as need be.”

Please attend our September Grassroots Democracy Conference on September 8th and renew your commitment to political change.  And as we prepare for the 2008 elections, don’t be fooled by the cynics.  We Democrats do make a difference for good.  We are far from perfect and we make our share of mistakes.  But we started our country back on the path toward sanity in 2006.  Democrats do make a difference.  But to get where we need to be, we need more of them.  That’s our job.  That’s a job we can do.  And that’s a job we must do.  See you in September.