Thanksgiving Message

Post date: Nov 22, 2010 9:12:44 PM

Today marks the 47th anniversary of the assassination of John F Kennedy. If you were old enough be around in 1963, you probably have a story of where they were when that event occurred.

My favorite Kennedy quote is the one included in his acceptance speech at the New Your Liberal Party nomination on September, 14, 1960

If by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties — someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."

I try to remember this message when I question why I work so hard to push the Democratic agenda.

Some of you volunteered to assist NCOO Thanksgiving Dinner preparation held at the America Legion Post #39 this past weekend, heeding the message from Gary Simpson, Norristown Municipal Chair. In the email message sent to ask for volunteers, he said something that was particularly profound and similar in nature to that of JFK.

“Many of us Democrats are very liberal to progressive in our political stances, but the one common thread that I believe Dems hold truer than any is our ability to lift up our common man/woman.”

I think that too, as it speaks to the fact that as people, and Democrats, we are concerned about the welfare of our fellow man. We understand the plight of those less fortunate, and sincerely want to make a change that will benefit all, very much like the message President Kennedy sent.

As you sit down to your respective Thanksgiving dinners on Thursday, I know you will join me in feeling extremely thankful for the bounties that we have. This country has so much to offer, so many riches, and such abundance that we often miss appreciating them. But we also have many who are suffering; those who are hungry, those who are sick, and those whose families are not around. It is for those that we need to work so they have a voice and their welfare is addressed. It is for those that we can use our connection to our friends in government to make sure their voice is heard. We can be proud to be part of a party that believes that their voice is important.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.