Obama’s 2nd Year: Inspiring, Clearer and Tougher

YWC!LI Board members gathered to watch the State of the Union address last evening. While we are not lock-step in our views across the range of key issues, we remain in agreement about this organization’s goals. There is always sufficient healthy disagreement to engage us in thoughtful argument regarding how we may best provide leadership for our membership. However, speaking for the Board I can share that we found Barak Obama’s words to be re-energizing. It was exactly the speech that needed to be made at this time. I found his ideas to be on the mark and central to the nation’s needs at this time. He spoke to us and for us– demonstrating he understands us and is with us.

We grew increasingly uncomfortable with, and resentful of, the opposition sitting on their derrieres throughout the speech. There was no surprise here. At the same time their pitiful expression and body language painted the picture for all Americans that there is a ‘Party of No’ and that they remain defiantly monolithic in a concerted effort to undermine our president. (Continuing the anatomical metaphor, Congress needs to grow cojones for the President’s clearer and tougher message to come to fruition).

However, Obama’s optimism escalated above the minority party’s silent derision. It is time to move forward and heed the president’s commitment to solving our country’s deep but solvable problems—“We don’t quit! I don’t quit!” These are important closing words that for us to hear once again and to which we must respond.

During the coming week we will announce Yes We Can! Long Island’s first conference for 2010. Please mark your calendar for an event at The Metropolitan the morning of March 20. The conference’s focus and particulars will be highlighted in that update. Sustaining and growing our membership’s active involvement is the key to the organization’s strength as we move ahead.

YWC!LI has been the sole remaining Long Island grassroots organization maintaining a focus on a national progressive agenda. Our viability remains dependent upon your continued support, encouragement, and engagement. Last year’s conference at The Metropolitan in Glen Cove was a great success and we appreciatively return to this great hall through the ongoing generosity and commitment of its owner, Billy Long.

For those who may have missed last week’s announcement of YWC!LI’s goals for 2010, they are: Job Retention and Creation, Health Care Reform, Energy/Environment, and Campaign Finance Reform. Determining these goals is the Boards’ response to its recent membership survey. Thank you for your plentiful submissions and comments that guided our decision. We will be conducting at least one major event on each of these goals. Be there.