An Old Man's Thanksgiving

One of the things I'm thankful for is the survival--against all odds--of democracy in America. I'm thankful that I've lived to see it so often revive just when I had despaired of it.

I'm thankful that I lived to see Joseph McCarthy fall, just when I had despaired of democracy in America.

I'm thankful that I lived to see the Civil Rights Act passed, just when I had despaired of democracy in America.

I'm thankful that I lived to see the House Un-American Activities Committee fade away, just when I had despaired of democracy in America.

I'm thankful that I lived to see Richard Nixon fall, just when I had despaired of democracy in America.

I'm thankful that I lived to see Arnold Schwartzenegger humbled by the defeat of his destructive initiatives, just when I had despaired of democracy in California.

I'm thankful that I lived to see the Bush junta humbled by the midterm elections, just when I had despaired of democracy in America.

So often Americans have seemed apathetic, willingly sliding into authoritarian subservience, only to awaken at the 11th hour. I'm infinitely thankful for this, and pray that it continues.