UNDEFINED CHANGE

The stimulus bill has been signed. People have a little more hope. But not until we start receiving that $13 per week in our paychecks, will we begin to put our guard down. We've been through a lot in the last few years, and we have every right to demand a lot from our representatives right now. Since 2001, those who we've chosen to represent our interests in Washington(and Harrisburg) have been derelict in their duties to the people and the Constitution.

They are not alone. We have not held them accountable, and we were warned by so many. Albert Einstein said "all of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field." The inspiration of President Obama is real, but it's up to us, as the citizenry, to define the change that's fueling our inspiration.

All change is not good. The right changes must be made. For the right people. People like the recently awaken. Many voted for the first time in 2008; many 18,many more 38. Michelle Obama took some undue criticism during the campaign for her statements about being proud of the country for the first time in her adult life. I bet a lot of the 38 year-olds felt the same way. There was a sense of inclusiveness just to vote for the man, let alone elect him.

I've been following politics closely since 1997 and intensely(almost impulsively) since 2000. It's a dirty game, was always about money, but now has no choice to be exclusively about money. It seems like the politicians and their partners in finance, oil, and prescription drugs are making a run for it. We cannot allow this to happen.

People who HAVE been awake have been waiting for you to wake up. And help. Most Americans have been massaged or medicated into slumber; free from the responsibilities required by the law of the land that guarantee the rights we hold so dear. No matter how great Barrack Obama, the man and president, is or will be, he's nothing without US. We are the key.

People came to the polls for a reason last year. Change. During the campaign, it was used like wiggling bait. But NOW is the time to finish the sentence, "change is..." President Obama has given the whole country opportunity and now we must seize this moment. Grab it. Mold it. To look like US. Pennsylvania in particular is going to receive more than $6B . We can work with that.

The change we are about to define can also define us as a new people. An America where people can be different, and not deficient. Where we ALL care for one another. Where we celebrate achievements. Respect the histories of every individual. Broad brush strokes have gotten us where we are; it's now time to grab a pencil.