This Moment In History

[jmondine]

Future generations of Americans will scarcely believe there was a time in our country when an entire race was enslaved, when women were not allowed to vote, when the elderly were left to perish after a lifetime of hard work, when public and private institutions were openly segregated, and when millions lost their houses, their businesses, their very lives due to astronomical medical bills and no health coverage.

This is our emancipation proclamation, our suffrage, our social security, our civil rights movement. As before, there are growing pains, there is fear, and there is violent opposition. As before, neither our leaders nor we the people can afford to falter in the face of adversity. I have the deepest faith that we will succeed.

Health reform transcends the political sportsmanship of Washington. Its influence, while including those now in jeopardy, extends far beyond, to untold future generations of Americans. For this, we will be remembered for centuries to come.

Now is our chance to form a more perfect union.

[Odin2005]

1. *Odin points to his sing-line*

"There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny."

--FDR

[Bucky]

2. I was in New Orleans in the early 60s & my students still can't grasp my recollections

I can't get my head around segregation and I lived through it in its last years. Of course there's still economic segregation and institutionalized discrimination, but the idea that someone who beats the odds and makes a mint still couldn't move out and move up, the bizarre notion that most American states actually outlawed marriage to people of other races... it's mind boggling.

I agree, health care is very much part of that tradition of progress. Doctors take an oath to uphold human life because it's seen as a basic human right to have access to healthcare at a reasonable price. Two generations from now our system today will seem as foriegn as property requirements for voting do in this century.

[jmondine]

3. There will come a time, also, when gay marriage bans will be just as quaint

I hope I live to see the day