Guest Column: Fired Up; Ready to Go

(Editor's Note: I have extended the invitation to attendees of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions to write guest posts about their experiences. I'm still waiting on the GOP's pieces, so if you are a Republican and went to the Convention feel free to send me a guest piece for publication on the LSB.)

By Don Williams, SDEC SD29

El Paso, Texas and Senatorial District 29 was amply represented at the Democratic National Convention by five (5) die-hard, yellow-dog democrats in Danny Anchondo, Esq., Immediate Past Chair of the El Paso County Democratic Party; Yolanda Clay, former State Democratic Executive Committeewoman and current Precinct Chair; my wife, Ruth Ybarra Williams, Community Organizer for Organizing for America (OFA) and current Precinct Chair; Jeanette Walker, former Precinct Chair and the local Matriarch for Organizing for America ; and, yours truly, Donald L. Williams, Esq., current State Democratic Executive Committeeman, Chair, Black El Paso Democrats and 2012 Presidential Elector.

After experiencing mechanical difficulties on the 7:00am flight to Charlotte, North Carolina, that was scheduled to arrive around 2pm on Labor Day, we landed in Charlotte past 9:30pm. The Texas Delegation was housed at the Great Wolf Lodge, some 30 to 40 minutes from the Charlotte Convention Center and the Time Warner Cable Arena.

Having attended the 2008 National Convention, I feel uniquely qualified to compare and comment on the content, ambience and substance of each convention. Needless to say, there is a marked difference in the presentation when one is a candidate as opposed to being the President.

I'd like to address four areas prevalent and considered in the campaigns and at the convention.

I. The Democratic National Convention actually reflected the true make-up of our diverse U.S. society on the stage and off. The delegation was the "melting pot" that defines the United States of America. It actually looked like an assembly of the United Nations, a fact that generates suspicion, hatred, mistrust and wariness from some citizens of this country. Every racial, religious, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and culture was represented and celebrated. One example was the Attorney General of California, who was introduced as the first female, first African American and first Southeast Asian to serve in that position. It was comforting to see Blacks, Hispanics, whites, Asian, women, gays all filling positions as Governors, Lt. Governors, Senators, Representatives, Mayors, Attorneys General, military officers, Cabinet Members and other officials, business people and delegates. None of these compare to the pride that I feel when I wake up every morning and Barack Obama is the President of the United States and the First Lady is the descendant of slaves.

There was no need for patronage or tokenism at our convention because the Democratic Party is truly the party of all the people.

II. In order to diminish the achievements of this administration, the Republicans are presenting the question "Are you better off now than you were four (4) years ago?" What does this question mean? This question was asked at the convention and the delegates answered with a resounding "YES". We are better off now than four (4) years ago. Is it better to have 30 straight months of job growth in the private sector, than losing 700,000 to 800,000 jobs per month as we were four (4) years ago? Then the answer is "YES". If it means that 95% of American taxpayers have received an average $3,600 per year tax cut, then the answer is "YES". If it means 4.5 million jobs added over the last 30 months then the answer is "YES". If it means saving the automobile industry from financial ruin and saving 1.1 million auto-related jobs, then the answer is "YES". If it means that General Motors and the other automakers have all repaid their "bailout" loans in full years ahead of time and GM is back to being the number 1 in automobile sales in the world, then the answer is "YES". If it means eliminating banks as the middle men between students and student loans and using the savings to double Pell Grants to deserving students, then the answer is "YES." If it means providing affordable health care to more citizens than any other time in our history, eliminating pre-existing conditions and spending caps on health insurance payouts; and, covering over 129 million Americans and young adults on their parents health insurance, then the answer is "YES". If it means providing more health coverage and job training to veterans, then the answer is "YES". If it means a safer country and world because many of our long-established enemies and their allies have been systematically brought to justice or otherwise eliminated, then the answer is "YES". If it means eliminating traditional de jure barriers so that every citizen is free to love whom they want or for women to have control over their health and reproductive rights, then the answer is "YES". If it means proposing and initiating over the objections of a dormant congress the beginning of a process whereby children who are culturally American but due to no fault of their own they are in this country without proper documentation, then the answer is "YES". If it means we are on a clear path to a sustained financial recovery, then the answer is "YES". No doubt our futures are much more brighter than they were four (4) years ago.

III. It is the goal of the Republican Party to "take the country back." Back from whom or back to what? It appears that statements of this nature connote "Code" words to those who believe that this country is bastardized due to the influx of non-Europeans, people of color and non-Christians. Back means to the days when only whites were in control and in command. Back means to the days when opportunity was enjoyed only by the privileged or as we call it the one percent (1%). Statements of this nature disturb and frighten me. It appears to be a return to the days of the poll tax and literacy tests, the precursors to the current day Voter ID laws and other schemes designed to diminish or eliminate minority voting strength as with the current day redistricting plans. Back means to the days where reproductive decisions were made and conducted in back alleys and unsavory and unhealthy clinics. Back means to the days where there were few or no black, brown, red, yellow, gay, female business and political leaders and decision-makers. Back means to decisions and deregulation that actually contributed significantly to the current financial and housing crises. Back means to substandard, segregated, inferior, underfunded, over-crowded school districts and poorer teacher pay. Back means to where employees had no say in their working conditions, safety, pay, hours, healthcare and other work-related situations. No going "Back" is NOT and option.

IV. It is the goal of the Democratic National Committee to "Move America Forward". "Moving America Forward" where every person who wants a job can get one; where every person can make a living wage based on his education, training, ambition and risks. "Moving America Forward" toward new technology, industries, manufacturing and energy. "Moving America Forward" so no American family will ever go bankrupt again due to unaffordable and catastrophic health care expenses. "Moving America Forward" so no person will ever die simply because they cannot afford health care and no community will ever have to sponsor fundraisers so one of their own can get quality treatment and live. "Moving America Forward" where the U. S. regains its position as first in education not seventeenth (17th) among industrialized countries. "Moving America Forward" where the U.S. has the means to defend itself militarily but does not use its strength to bully the world; but, to be admired and respected because it helps protect the world. "Moving America Forward" where all of its citizens live in dignity. "Moving America Forward" where becoming elderly is not to be dreaded and treated as a punitive sentence. "Moving America Forward" where the benefits and opportunities are available to all, not just the privileged and monied. "Moving America Forward" where when one succeeds, they reach back and pull someone else up instead of limiting or denying the means of success to others. In moving forward we must look at the current and future leadership that is available to serve as leaders and role-models to those who want to follow. In addition to having the guidance and stewardship of President Bill Clinton, who presided over one of the longest periods of prosperity in recent U.S. history, the Democratic Party has the posterity in leaders such as Caroline Kennedy and Joseph P. Kennedy III; the drive and charisma of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles, Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Anthony Foxx of Charlotte, North Carolina, Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mayor Julian Castro of San Antonio, Texas and Mayor Denise Parker of Houston, Texas. We have the courage of Attorney General of Delaware Beau Biden who is a combat army officer in the National Guard; Lt. Governor Anthony Brown of Maryland, who is not only the first Black Lt. Governor in Maryland but as a reserve Colonel in the U.S. Army he is the highest ranking elected official who has served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Democratic Party is heavily equipped to go to the limits to insure that this country moves forward for generations to come. The Democratic Party is the only party that exemplifies that our diversity is our strength and should not be construed as a weakness.

In closing, the 2008 Convention was much about anticipation, much about hope, much about changing the course of history. The 2012 Convention was much about maintaining the small gains that have been made, maintaining a course of action whereby progress for all Americans can be sustained and maintained for the future. As stated, we must "MOVE FORWARD, NOT BACK". This can and will be done with the re-election of Barack Hussein Obama as President of the United States of America.

"FIRED UP AND READY TO GO!!"