“As Time Goes By”

Well, if you’ve seen “Casablanca,” you know that song. And if not, rent or buy one of the greatest films ever made.

But my point here isn’t film history. It’s current history. “Casablanca” was made in 1942 when the entire world was plagued by a global economic depression and was on the verge of collapsing beneath the iron boot of fascism.

And in the midst of today’s economic disaster, much of the world is looking to Obama to save us from a replay of that era.

Does that sound a bit over dramatic? Sorry, but the fact is that hard times lead to extreme ideologies. And if we can’t help Obama succeed, we may all be facing harder times than our parents and/or grandparents did during the Great Depression.

But the Republicans are determined to see to it that he fails. And this time around, they are the threat to our freedoms, and our economic survival.

Strange, but no matter how much time goes by, the remnants of the Republican Party consists of some really lousy human beings. They play to the ignorance, religiosity, or just plain greed of those who can never be reached by logic, reason, or even self-interest.

When “Casablanca” was made, the threat of fascism came from Germany and Japan. Today, we don’t have to look any further than right here at home. Like every empire in history, the U.S. can only be toppled from within. The Republican Party is a threat to each and every human being who thinks the dark ages really sucked and don’t want a reply of that era.

So it’s up to us, -- and mostly the upcoming generation, -- to stop them cold. Here’s looking at you, kids.

millions of us who want change, who believe that we can change America and the world we live in. Hope, the "audacity of hope" as our president would say.

My children are 25, 27 and 29. They are employed currently. I hope their jobs are secure. But is anyone's job secure? They have student loans and are in no position to buy homes.

As you say, it isn't only about possessions and money. We could face the breakup of our country if we don't get this right.

We have only a few critical years to make a difference. The generations need to work together to get this right. But the under thirty people will be the ones living in the dark ages if we do not get it right.