The 2008 Primary Election ushered in a New Era in American Politics and National Consciousness.

With the Election of Barack Obama as the President of The United States (along with a cascade of "Other Progressive Candidates" in Congress and State Governments)... America gave a Definitive Signal to The World (and Itself) that "We The People" not only Want Change... but that We as a Nation are becoming More Aware of True Political and Corporate Realities along with Social and Environmental Challenges. We Know that as a Nation and Society... We Must not only "Demand Change"... but also Play a Part in Monitoring and Ensuring that Positive Progressive Change is Actualized in Congress and in the Social and Business Realm.

The Key Word for Progressive America though is "Vigilance". While there are many Reasons to "Believe" in Obama... the fact remains that so far he has only given us "Rhetoric and Promises". He has shown us that He is Highly Intelligent and has Great Potential... but is he truly a "Leader of the People"? Will he Be True to the Ideals that carried him into the highest Public Office of the United States... or will his Idealistic Advertising prove to be more "Pragmatic" than of Essential Substance???

The "True Victory" of the 2008 Primary Elections lies with "The People". America showed that it Still Believes in Its Political System... and that Ideals and Humanitarian Concerns still are Important in selecting Our Political Representatives. Voter turnout was Unprecedented... especially among the Young and Minorities. For once, many Americans went to the Polls to "Vote For Someone"... not only to Vote Against a Political Candidate.

Still... considering the "Condition of the Country"... and the Mess that the previous administration had literally "drug us into"... it was disappointing that Obama did not Win by a Greater Landslide. While the Victory of Progressive Politics in the 2008 Election is a Significant One... It is by far not a Final One. America is at a "Turning Point"... and what We have at this Moment in History is Potential and Opportunity to "Grasp the Moment"... and Ride the Wave of Optimism and Passionate Intent.

Regardless... Americans must Realize that Their "Future" essentially lies in Their Ability to Influence and Control Their "Local" Political and Economic Realities... as much as Their National Ones. People need to Strengthen Their Communities and Invest more in Their Local Institutions... becoming More Involved and Expecting nothing less than Professionalism and Integrity from All Public Workers and Representatives. Unless We keep the "Microcosm" Healthy... the Macrocosm will never flourish.

Basically, People have to "Get Involved"...

For a Better Informed & Involved Public...

Lonnie J. Burris

Activist & Concerned Citizen