Many of our goals are far from fulfilled, I know. But I believe that the tide is turning our way.
More below the fold :
Exhibit 1: My wife's primary complaint against me is that I am no longer the fundamentalist Christian conservative that she married. I am without health insurance. I am working at McDonalds and Prairie Lea ISD. I am trying to keep my head above water. My mom was petrified that I was going to return to being a fundamentalist Christian since this was a requirement of my wife's and I wanted to try to work things out if possible. However, as much as I wanted to try to work things out with her, I was unable to abandon my progressive principles. I would be less than the person I am if I did abandon my progressive principles. I cannot do this. I am a progressive to the core of my being. It is who I am. I cannot and will not be otherwise. If it costs me, it costs me. No wife. No health insurance.
I am only one person. I know that anecdotal evidence does not actually prove anything. Still, I am one exhibit. I wrongly voted 4 Bush who basically ruined the world. I deeply, deeply, deeply regret it. I became a Progressive in 2005 really. I am so sorry about my vote. Texas was going red anyway, but there is no excuse for it. However, now, I, single white male in my 30's that I am, am a convinced Progressive.
Exhibit 2: Prairie Lea ISD. Today, a teacher brought to my vice principal's attention that she was very concerned about White Nazi Separatism. He, the vice principal, was quite responsive. I expressed my concerns about this too. The fact that this tiny school district was concerned about it is encouraging. Furthermore, the teacher who brought it to the vice principal's attention is the last person you would picture doing so, based upon stereotypes. She is country, country, but a very good science teacher. She is caucasian, like me.
Exhibit 3: Our economy grew, consumer spending was up more than at any time in almost 3 years. We added almost 300,000 jobs last month.
Exhibit 4: Voter intensity is returning to Progressives. We are on the march.
Exhibit 5: We are concerned about the consequences, the inevitable consequences, of relying upon oil thanks to the fiasco by BP.
Things are going well with my nurse friend. :-) .
I feel more connected to my fellow progressives here at Daily Kos than almost anybody else. Daily Kos has been here in such an unforgettable way. I will never, ever forget the kindness that my fellow Kossacks have shown me. It is an indelible impression upon my soul that has been left. I was a progressive before I joined, but wow has that conviction been strengthened.
I am happy. My Progressive convictions (0+ / 0-)
and my commitment to Progressive ideals in my daily life make me happy. I feel that I am about others. Being a voice for the voiceless and powerless. What more could there be ?
Update: My school district has all but officially offered me a position with the school full time. It might be as a teacher assistant, despite my teacher certifications and degrees. It might be as a teacher (as I am certified, have my master's degree in mathematics, ... ). It depends upon their budget. And the first two students whom I tutored for them passed the TAKS. They had failed it before. This was their last chance to pass it if they wanted to graduate. I tutored them. They passed ! Wow !!!My principal just called to let me know that a few minutes ago ! Just got the results !
I should state clearly for the record that No Child Left Behind is a horrendous and discriminatory policy, in my view. It is fatally flawed in numerous ways ! I, and many others, have pointed out these flaws elsewhere.
This was like that scene in the movie JAWS where the Fisherman stood up and said, "You all know what I do for a living ! You want to be broke all summer or you want to ante up and get all your business on a paying basis ? " Their students need help passing the math TAKS and they know I can deliver that. They know the rapport and great relationships I have with the kids. They know their math TAKS scores need to be raised. They know they have to pony up the money to hire me full-time.