Good morning.
No, make that great morning!
I think it's fair to say that those of you who are likely to read this are happy that President Obama won reelection this week. But a lot more happened than just that. It wasn't just that he was reelected. It was that he was reelected supporting marriage equality and the Dream Act. He was reelected promising to do more for those who have less. He was reelected by Lilly Ledbetter and Sandra Fluke, by Julian Castro and Edith Childs. Ohio auto workers and old Jews in Florida cast their ballots even after enduring enough political commercials that they could have legally applied for asylum in Canada. Bruce Springsteen and Jay-Z led America in song.
And it didn't stop at the White House. This election featured candidates who have consistently championed causes of equality, justice and dignity for all Americas. Tammy Baldwin, Sherrod Brown and Elizabeth Warren didn't "tack to the center." They didn't look to avoid tough issues or run from their records. Instead, they showed America that you can speak truth, be true to yourself, and still get elected.
And as we all know, all politics is local, and for me some of the greatest excitement comes from the hard-fought victories on ballot initiatives in Maryland, Minnesota, Maine, Washington and California.
After going 0-32 on the ballot in different states until this year, marriage equality passed in Maryland, Maine and Washington state, and Minnesota defeated an anti-equality measure. The arc of history is long, but it is clearly bending toward justice.
Maryland also passed the Dream Act, opening the doors of opportunity for all young people in our state and hopefully showing politicians on the national level what can and should be done.
In California, oh California, there is much to celebrate. For the first time since 2004 California voters approved a measure that would increase revenue to support the state's education system. Prop 30 overcame millions of dollars in opposition spending to become law. In another victory, Prop 32, which sought to undermine union power by no longer allowing them to use paycheck deductions for political purposes, was defeated. And of course Prop 36, which revises California's "3 strikes law" passed by more than 20 percent. Way to go CA!
I may be the only person in America who feels this way, but I missed Congress and am looking forward to them coming back. America took some real steps in the right direction last night. Now it's up to us to keep it going.
I will end by sharing with you the words of a true American hero, Congressman John Lewis.
"I know that in many places the line to vote is going to be very long. But remember those who stood in immovable lines before you. Remember those who sacrificed everything for what you are about to do. Remember the three civil rights workers, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Mickey Schwerner, who were murdered in Nashoba County, Mississippi. Remember the four little schoolgirls, Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson and Denise McNair, who were killed in a church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. Do not turn back. Do not become weary. It is time to do your part."
It is our time.