Passion Redux - RFK, Jr. Rocks!

We know I have a thing about passion. I can't help myself. I have it in abundance ..and am profoundly moved by it in another person. Last night, I spent 2 hours in the presence of a deeply commited and passionate man: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. I'm still feeling buoyed by the experience.

This man epitomizes what it means to be an engaged citizen. His intellectual range is enormous -- environmental pollution, voter fraud, children's health, constitutional law, to name a few. He can articulate fact-based positions on each and every one of these, with humor and depth. I was mesmerized as he described entrepreneurial initiatives that could significantly alter the way we use energy. He deftly walked through the true cost of faux "free-market" capitalism as practiced by Republicans since Reagan. He argued cogently for why true partriotism and democracy are dependent on an informed citizenry, and how at-risk we are with a toadying Beltway press. He described the machinations of K Street lobbyists who occupy posts in key government regulatory agencies, where they work tirelessly against the public interest.

It was enough to make me give up on Democracy. Let's be honest: the Democrats embrace the culture of D.C. influence peddlers as much as their Republican cohorts. Liberals like me, count on the influencers having values and an agenda that meshes with mine. Somehow, that seems like a naive mindset to hold, given the peril we find ourselves in today. While it was immensely reassuring to know that people like Bobby are out there working tirelessly on our behalf, we have an individual obligation to hold our elected representatives' feet to the fire. To make them live up to their promises. This is not a time for incremental change -- that will be lethal. Our problems require substantive and transformative change. Whether or not our new President has the cojones to proceed fearlessly and boldly, remains in question. But I know where I stand. And where Bobby stands. And where the grassroots stands that helped elect the current administration. Much like the '60s, when activists brought down a president and ended a war, we will only get the change we need if we mobilize the people, put pressure on Congress and the President, and insist that they work in the public interest.

We cannot rely on the press to keep us well-informed. We must do the work ourselves. Think critically. Dig up the facts. Read relentlessly. Be a patriot. Be inspired.

Then, we will get the country we truly deserve.

Thanks to Kevin McCarrison, from UMKC, for the great photo!