Politics - On Turning 70 Years Old in 2015...

Well, I completed seven decades on this planet yesterday. Birthdays come too frequently these days. My parents are both 91 this year and are still, as my Dad says, "walking upright and taking nourishment," so I have some decent genes going for me, although I've abused my body with bad habits for many years.

My 70th year comes the year before yet another important election. I've seen a number of them, and got started supporting Democratic candidates back in 1960, when a youngish Massachusetts Democrat was running for President. I got my first taste of volunteering on a campaign that year and was excited, overjoyed and full of hope when JFK won. Incredibly sadly, he was not allowed to complete his service to the nation. I was in my first year of college that day. It demoralized me in many ways.

Since then, I've seen both Democrats and Republicans hold the office of President and control of Congress. When Democrats were in power, we made progress. When Republicans held that power, we did not. Progress has been too slow, even when Democrats won elections, but it was progress. I've often chafed at the bit over this slow movement toward common goals. However, not being in a position to do anything but support Democrats and voice my hopes, I've learned, to my sorrow, that it's a long, long battle.

A Dream Unrealized, but Unbroken

Today, I understand that my youthful dreams of a world that was equal for everyone and where every American could count on the possibility of achieving his or her dreams will never be fully realized. I'm resigned to progress being slow, since our nation seems to switch back and forth between progress and regress on a regular basis. I have no other choice, it seems.

In 2008, we elected another young President, this time a President of color. That was a remarkable achievement, but his terms in office have been marked by vindictive obstructionism by a Republican Party whose vision is always backward. Progress is not that party's goal. So, despite electing yet another young, energetic man as our President, progress remained slow, although some gains have been made.

Now, we're facing a new challenge. President Obama's two terms are almost finished and we must try again to keep progressive improvements alive. Whichever Democratic candidate faces whichever Republican, we still have the same choices we always have every four years. In our imperfect society, the balance is delicate and almost anything can hand leadership over to the obstructionist, regressive party. What will we do in 2016?

We have it within our power to continue the progress and to replace a Republican-controlled Congress and dozens of state legislatures with legislative bodies also controlled by a majority of Democrats. We can do that. Our numbers are large enough. We are in the majority. We can control our destiny if we wish to do so.

It will not be easy. It will require a massive turnout of Democratic voters in every state - a historic turnout. 2016 is a test for us. If we pass that test, we will set the stage for progress, perhaps even accelerated progress. If we can turn out spectacular numbers of Democrats next November, we'll succeed in enabling the kind of change we need. Will we do that? If we do not, progress will stall and even be reversed.

Given the "three score and ten" limits many humans face, this could be the last election I will see. I have no way of knowing that. I could see a few more than that. Once again, I am hopeful that we will muster the energy and determination to set a course for progress. Once again, I will work to achieve that goal where I can, in my local area.

Time is passing, as it inevitably does. Will I see something extraordinary when the results are in next November. I'm hopeful. I'm always hopeful. I know that it's possible. I know we can do it, if we join together with a powerful will to do it. If we don't, though, which has also happened a number of times in my life, we'll be back in the old cycle of alternating power.

Please help! Please recognize the opportunity we have. Please come together for progress!

Thank you.