Choices: Strategies for Our Future: Now More Than Ever

Now More Than Ever

Published on Thursday, November 4, 2004 by CommonDreams.org
"Now More Than Ever"
by Brandi Neal and Mira Ptacin

"The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark alleys to traverse." - Helen Keller

Bush may have won the election, but the battle is not over. One way to look at it is that nothing’s changed—Bush is still here; we’ve just experienced a hiccup in our campaign for justice and a bit of a distraction in the fight for what we believe in. Though we didn’t get the results we hoped for, it’s clear that we have taken a solid step in a long and righteous crusade. In the past several months, we’ve accumulated an incredible energy and it’s still lingering, looking for a channel, and there is no reason to set it aside. This is only the beginning.

We’ve noticed some despair here in our "blue" state of Maine, and there is no time or room for it. It’s okay to feel blue, if you’re talking about the colored map, but there’s no need to be overly dramatic. We already know the weaknesses and flaws of our country and our administration, which gives us an advantage. Rather than reacquainting ourselves with a whole new administration, we can continue with what we have been working on. A Democratic victory didn’t mean we would go on a political vacation. No matter who was elected, we would still be fighting for what we believe the USA should stand for. We can not admit defeat because we have not been defeated. Victory can be ours if we claim it.

"The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it. Only if every single citizen feels duty bound to do his share in this defense are the constitutional rights secure." - Albert Einstein

Millions of American people have become incredibly energized and motivated to take back the country. We had hoped for a better outcome Tuesday, but now we must represent ourselves. It’s up to us to do the work, disbanding is not an option, being proactive is. At this point, we know the beat of our drum, at the same time we are quite familiar with the rhythm of our obstacles. The fight for peace and justice does not happen overnight, so rather than wasting any time or energy wallowing in defeat, it’s time to take a deep breath and continue with what we have been doing in the last several days, months and years.

At a recent rally in Portland, Maine, Senator Ted Kennedy declared that voting in this election is the most important thing we will ever do. He was wrong—it’s just a small participation in the bigger scheme of things. Now that a victor has been declared, for the next four years we will hold our representative accountable. We will demand to be heard, demand explanations, demand equality and demand peace in the Middle East and at home. We can't expect a presidential election to change a nation. A nation changes a nation.

We’re not amateurs in this fight anymore, we’ve become pro. Now that we’ve taken it on the chin, taken our day of rest and gracefully gathered our composure, the question that remains is: what is the most effective way to make change in the world? Should we be writing? Singing? Making movies? Practicing law? Teaching? Taking it to the streets? The answer is all of the above, and more. Moving to Canada is not the answer. We are patriotic Americans and we won’t abandon the fight to take back our country. So let's get moving. It’s time to take back what's rightfully ours. We’re not going to allow one man and his right wing allies to speak and act in our name for the next four years. So what are we going to do about it?

Brandi Neal and Mira Ptacin are assistant editors at CommonDreams.org. They can be reached at brandilneal@commondreams.org and miramptacin@commondreams.org

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