A Guideline for Congressional Change "We Can Believe In"

Oh, how I miss the days of the Kennedy Administration. Camelot was inspiring, and John F. Kennedy was truly an exceptional speaker … without the need to rely on the assistance of a TelePrompter to merit such praise.

Today, outside of John Edward’s unfortunate reenactment of a prominent Kennedy flaw (taken to a whole new level of complicity), there are only memories of the great leadership of that time. And even Edwards’ best effort doesn’t seem to measure up to Kennedy’s standards. “I knew Marilyn Monroe. She was a friend of mine. And you, Rielle Hunter, are NO Marilyn Monroe.” For that matter, Lisa Druck isn’t even Norma Jean Baker. Besides, camcorders didn’t even exist in the early sixties, so we have no documentary evidence to offer the Smithsonian, which I’m sure either Edwards or his sidekick, Andrew Young, will do at some time in the future. (As an aside, I don’t ask much of my Followers, but please do me this one favor: DO NOT BUY Andrew Young’s book, The Politician. If you’re even tempted … donate the money to charity instead. You have my deepest appreciation.)

Before the days of ceremonial coronations, President Kennedy gave an eloquent inaugural address; devoid of any blame of past Administrations and conciliatory in tone. “… We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom - symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning - signifying renewal, as well as change. The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebearers fought are still at issue around the globe - the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.” In retrospect, maybe it wasn’t such a great speech. I mean, he called for “change” but also celebrated prior accomplishments by acknowledging the importance of “renewal.” Then, he ostensibly stated that the “rights of man” come from God rather than the United States Congress. This flies in the face of the ACLU and possibly infringes upon the beliefs of the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House.

“Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage - and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.” Perhaps, we are too far removed from those times to appreciate what he said. Perhaps, we now take peace on a global scale for granted. Perhaps, our history is taught in such a politically correct way that we no longer feel the intense pride in our heritage that we once did. Perhaps, because the world at that time had come perilously close to experiencing what it was like to be governed by a mad man, there was a greater commitment to making sure that threat never arose again.

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge … and more.” I must say, that sounds a bit arrogant to me. It’s almost as if we saved the French from speaking German. Today, I’m sure we would just apologize for trashing their beach in Normandy. If FDR had the courtesy to announce a preordained date upon which time we would withdraw our troops from France, he may have had a shot at winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Kennedy went on to address our commitment to third world countries and South and Central America; to help their poor and protect them from aggression or subversion. He also went on to encourage a strengthening of the United Nations “to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective.” I guess he saw that one coming!

Thereafter, President Kennedy entered into a vision of how to improve the tenuous relationship that existed between the United States and the United Soviet Socialist Republic. For those of you who are too young to remember, the U.S.S.R. was a failed social experiment predicated upon a redistribution of wealth. Don’t worry ... no one would ever be naïve enough to try that again.

However, Kennedy’s proposed solution still has merit. It is a guideline that could be used to create “Change You Can Believe In” in Washington, D.C.

“So let us begin anew - remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

“Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

“Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals …

“Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.

“Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah - to ‘undo the heavy burdens - and to let the oppressed go free.’

“And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.”

Close your eyes and try to imagine a United States Congress that operated under this guideline. What a glorious redirection it would be!

“In your hands, my fellow citizens … will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty … Now the trumpet summons us again - not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are - but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, ‘rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation’ - a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself … Will you join in that historic effort?”

And then, President Kennedy gave what very well may be the most magnificent advice ever offered in our Nation’s great history: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.” It’s as if he was channeling Thomas Jefferson, who believed in “the People” rather than a monolithic government to provide for them.

Kennedy even had the audacity to extend the challenge to those with whom we share the planet: “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." In closing, he said, “Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.” With apologies to the ACLU, I think his ideas are still pretty compelling.

In his State of the Union speech, President Obama called upon our two major parties to end their “perpetual campaign(s).” While it might resonate more if he took the lead, at least his rhetoric is correct. Personally, I wish all the Democrats and Republicans in Washington, D.C. would take time to read and consider the wisdom contained in President Kennedy’s inaugural address. But then again, I’m a dreamer … because I also always wished that they would do the same thing with the United States Constitution!

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© 2010 by Dr. T.J. O’Hara. To support viral distribution, this article may be copied, reprinted, forwarded, linked, or published in any form as long as proper attribution is given to the author and no changes are made.