Starting Over

So Christmas is over and we’ve got a few more days before we can party again to ring in 2008.

Even though it started with such promise, we’re certainly in a rush to get 2007 over with. In New York, Day One pledged a new beginning. In DC, Democratic majorities in the House and Senate gave us hope. Despite the best intentions, entrenched power had its way—it was not to be interfered with.

In New York, Day One turned into Day Two, Day Three, Day Four . . . this Monday will be Day 365. Luckily, we get to start counting again on January 1--Day One, 2008.

Down in D.C., our hopes for real change were dashed. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Matthew Shepard Act were taken off the Democrats’ legislative docket. Although, they insist positive legislative change for the LGBT community is still on their agenda.

What has happened in both the Empire State and the nation’s Capitol are clear indications that getting elected doesn’t mean you get the power everyone says comes with the office. You still need to do the heavy lifting of continuing to build your base, forging bipartisan working relationships and refining the art of the political.

With any luck and some real strategy, 2008 could be the year that changes business as usual to taking care of business.

Starting January 1, we’ll have 11 months and a few days to make sure the Republican stranglehold on the White House and all things DC is broken.

Change in the White House isn’t a gay issue. It’s a survival issue. If we want our country, our constitution, our conscience as a nation of people who believe in democracy to survive, then we must make sure democracy is restored.

For the past eight years, we’ve watched as the marionette president has had his strings pulled by Dick Cheney and Karl Rove. Like stealing candy from a baby, their cynical pronouncement of “Mission Accomplished” on the deck of an aircraft carrier later proved to steal the hope of millions of Americans who want to see their sons,  daughters, nieces, nephews and neighbors come home from the “War on Terror” alive and in one piece, physically and emotionally.

The lies this administration told in order to go to war are much worse than those of Richard Nixon. No one was killed because of Watergate yet Tricky Dick had to resign—otherwise impeachment was his future. Yet, the cynicism that invaded Washington, DC politics since 1972 has changed the national tolerance for deceit. Now, the president can get away with lying and the subsequent dying without having to be held accountable for his actions.

It is up to us, the electorate, to just say no to that deceit. We can no longer ignore it, make excuses for it or have a “that’s just the way things are” attitude about it.

It is up to us to bring our government, our nation back to practical politics. It is time to change the realpolitik of our government from one that favors the few to one that cares for many. After all, it’s much more practical to govern with the economic interests of taxpayers in mind rather than Halliburton’s stock price.

It’s much more practical to govern a nation where healthcare is a right rather than having the health care insurance industry profiteer at the deathbeds of our loved ones. And yes, it is even much more practical to protect everyone—regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity—from discrimination than to let the talents of millions of Americans wither on the vine.

When the century turned eight years ago, we rushed over the bridge to the 21st century with enthusiasm and hope. But seven years of Republican domination robbed us of the promise of a better life. Instead, we have a war without end, an economic downturn built on the backs of middle class Americans, and a health care system that rewards cost-cutting rather than compassionate care.

2008 gives us the opportunity to redefine the promise and reclaim the hope. This New Year gives us the opportunity to change the direction of our country. Our democracy is not dead. It is just crying for fresh air, for clean water, for an educated electorate who puts practicality over platitudes.

January 1, 2008 really is Day One. We’re starting over! After all, do overs are so 20th century.

So Christmas is over and we’ve got a few more days before we can party again to ring in 2008.

Even though it started with such promise, we’re certainly in a rush to get 2007 over with. In New York, Day One pledged a new beginning. In DC, Democratic majorities in the House and Senate gave us hope. Despite the best intentions, entrenched power had its way—it was not to be interfered with.

In New York, Day One turned into Day Two, Day Three, Day Four . . . this Monday will be Day 365. Luckily, we get to start counting again on January 1--Day One, 2008.

Down in D.C., our hopes for real change were dashed. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Matthew Shepard Act were taken off the Democrats’ legislative docket. Although, they insist positive legislative change for the LGBT community is still on their agenda.

What has happened in both the Empire State and the nation’s Capitol are clear indications that getting elected doesn’t mean you get the power everyone says comes with the office. You still need to do the heavy lifting of continuing to build your base, forging bipartisan working relationships and refining the art of the political.

With any luck and some real strategy, 2008 could be the year that changes business as usual to taking care of business.

Starting January 1, we’ll have 11 months and a few days to make sure the Republican stranglehold on the White House and all things DC is broken.

Change in the White House isn’t a gay issue. It’s a survival issue. If we want our country, our constitution, our conscience as a nation of people who believe in democracy to survive, then we must make sure democracy is restored.

For the past eight years, we’ve watched as the marionette president has had his strings pulled by Dick Cheney and Karl Rove. Like stealing candy from a baby, their cynical pronouncement of “Mission Accomplished” on the deck of an aircraft carrier later proved to steal the hope of millions of Americans who want to see their sons,  daughters, nieces, nephews and neighbors come home from the “War on Terror” alive and in one piece, physically and emotionally.

The lies this administration told in order to go to war are much worse than those of Richard Nixon. No one was killed because of Watergate yet Tricky Dick had to resign—otherwise impeachment was his future. Yet, the cynicism that invaded Washington, DC politics since 1972 has changed the national tolerance for deceit. Now, the president can get away with lying and the subsequent dying without having to be held accountable for his actions.

It is up to us, the electorate, to just say no to that deceit. We can no longer ignore it, make excuses for it or have a “that’s just the way things are” attitude about it.

It is up to us to bring our government, our nation back to practical politics. It is time to change the realpolitik of our government from one that favors the few to one that cares for many. After all, it’s much more practical to govern with the economic interests of taxpayers in mind rather than Halliburton’s stock price.

It’s much more practical to govern a nation where healthcare is a right rather than having the health care insurance industry profiteer at the deathbeds of our loved ones. And yes, it is even much more practical to protect everyone—regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity—from discrimination than to let the talents of millions of Americans wither on the vine.

When the century turned eight years ago, we rushed over the bridge to the 21st century with enthusiasm and hope. But seven years of Republican domination robbed us of the promise of a better life. Instead, we have a war without end, an economic downturn built on the backs of middle class Americans, and a health care system that rewards cost-cutting rather than compassionate care.

2008 gives us the opportunity to redefine the promise and reclaim the hope. This New Year gives us the opportunity to change the direction of our country. Our democracy is not dead. It is just crying for fresh air, for clean water, for an educated electorate who puts practicality over platitudes.

January 1, 2008 really is Day One. We’re starting over! After all, do overs are so 20th century.