The fight for a more just society and vibrant democracy will never end, but we can at least give thanks that those ends are still broadly agreed upon. Thanks to Ian for reminding us of Senator Robert La Follette's words from The Progressive in 1909: "The battle is just on. It is young yet. It will be the longest and hardest ever fought for Democracy. In other lands, the people have lost. Here we shall win. It is a glorious privilege to live in this time, and to have a free hand in this fight for government by the people.” Happy Thanksgiving.
Robert, I am so thankful for your constant presence in this forum. You really are an inspiration and beacon for so many of us. Thank you, too, for believing enough in us out here within "earshot" that you created this space for open exchange of ideas and opinions. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and to all who visit this place.
I have read that a feeling of hope is needed to keep soldiering on to make this a better country and better world. You have given us a shot of hope. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Professor Reich. This essay, accompanied by your soothing voice, is a perfect balance of reality and hope. And you cited the reasons for hope eloquently. I lived through the horrors of Vietnam, the assassinations of JFK, MLK, and Robert Kennedy. The nightmare of police with clubs and tear gas used against protestors at the Democratic convention in Chicago has never faded. Our nation will survive, and we will be better for these trials and tribulations. May everyone enjoy a Thanksgiving filled with gratefulness, which is love-in-action. 🌈
Thank you for the reflection. It is so easy to get “lost in the moment”.
Having travelled to many foreign countries I am continually amazed at how much they know about us and how little we pay attention to them. Even through all of our internal upheavals, America continues to be the beacon of the world. This is something to be truly thankful for.
With hope, luck, persistence and perseverance, may we aspire to be the nation we dream of!
While climate change does give us a ticking clock, in terms of our nation's current status, I always try to remind myself that we are still a relatively young country and this is just another step in a long fight toward a better world. I often think about Sen. La Follette's words in The Progressive...from 1909: "The battle is just on. It is young yet. It will be the longest and hardest ever fought for Democracy. In other lands, the people have lost. Here we shall win. It is a glorious privilege to live in this time, and to have a free hand in this fight for government by the people.”
Thank you for the reminder of what was happening in the sixties. I was so young and I avoided any topics that were volatile so I have, not forgotten but just haven't given the attention that is due that time in our history. I, sadly, was one of those people who felt we were progressing nicely then the Tea Party folks started rearing their ugly heads, and then boom, Trump. So it's nice to be reminded of where we've been before and we survived. Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your readers.
What a wonderful and inspiring reminder of where we've been and the many strides we've made over the decades. The challenges we face will be hard fought, but history has shown us time and time again that the people are up for the fight. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, thank you for everything you do.
Thank you for this piece. It is too easy to listen to the media, which I believe is detrimental to our wellbeing right now, talk about "woe is us". We tend to forget that America has been through trying times many times in the past and Americans have always risen to the challenge. I believe that our young people are tuned into a higher power and source and will come through for all of us and the planet we live on.
I feel like this is a "safe space" where I come to recalibrate my fears and despair about the political, economic, cultural landscape. Thank you for your rational, thoughtful, and beautifully expressed Thanksgiving Toast for us.
Sharing this with all my concerned family too. (Thank goodness there are no "Uncle Bobs" among them.)
As always, thanks Professor Reich. Your message today is a good one, not entirely optimistic but neither is it full of despair. Yes, things were pretty horrifying back in 1968 when I, as a 14 year old kid, saw the danger swirling around me which gave me pause at that young age to start paying attention. Well, I’m still paying attention but this time the situation is much more dire. As long as there is hope of deliverance for a nation and world in peril I will try and keep my head above the fray. Happy thanksgiving to you and yours and to all reading who celebrate.
The fight for a more just society and vibrant democracy will never end, but we can at least give thanks that those ends are still broadly agreed upon. Thanks to Ian for reminding us of Senator Robert La Follette's words from The Progressive in 1909: "The battle is just on. It is young yet. It will be the longest and hardest ever fought for Democracy. In other lands, the people have lost. Here we shall win. It is a glorious privilege to live in this time, and to have a free hand in this fight for government by the people.” Happy Thanksgiving.
Robert, I am so thankful for your constant presence in this forum. You really are an inspiration and beacon for so many of us. Thank you, too, for believing enough in us out here within "earshot" that you created this space for open exchange of ideas and opinions. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and to all who visit this place.
I have read that a feeling of hope is needed to keep soldiering on to make this a better country and better world. You have given us a shot of hope. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Professor Reich. This essay, accompanied by your soothing voice, is a perfect balance of reality and hope. And you cited the reasons for hope eloquently. I lived through the horrors of Vietnam, the assassinations of JFK, MLK, and Robert Kennedy. The nightmare of police with clubs and tear gas used against protestors at the Democratic convention in Chicago has never faded. Our nation will survive, and we will be better for these trials and tribulations. May everyone enjoy a Thanksgiving filled with gratefulness, which is love-in-action. 🌈
Bob,
Thank you for the reflection. It is so easy to get “lost in the moment”.
Having travelled to many foreign countries I am continually amazed at how much they know about us and how little we pay attention to them. Even through all of our internal upheavals, America continues to be the beacon of the world. This is something to be truly thankful for.
With hope, luck, persistence and perseverance, may we aspire to be the nation we dream of!
Happy Thanksgiving
Thanks, Robert Reich, for the uplifting perspective and optimistic overview! Happy Thanksgiving!
While climate change does give us a ticking clock, in terms of our nation's current status, I always try to remind myself that we are still a relatively young country and this is just another step in a long fight toward a better world. I often think about Sen. La Follette's words in The Progressive...from 1909: "The battle is just on. It is young yet. It will be the longest and hardest ever fought for Democracy. In other lands, the people have lost. Here we shall win. It is a glorious privilege to live in this time, and to have a free hand in this fight for government by the people.”
Thank you for the reminder of what was happening in the sixties. I was so young and I avoided any topics that were volatile so I have, not forgotten but just haven't given the attention that is due that time in our history. I, sadly, was one of those people who felt we were progressing nicely then the Tea Party folks started rearing their ugly heads, and then boom, Trump. So it's nice to be reminded of where we've been before and we survived. Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your readers.
What a wonderful and inspiring reminder of where we've been and the many strides we've made over the decades. The challenges we face will be hard fought, but history has shown us time and time again that the people are up for the fight. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, thank you for everything you do.
Thank you for this piece. It is too easy to listen to the media, which I believe is detrimental to our wellbeing right now, talk about "woe is us". We tend to forget that America has been through trying times many times in the past and Americans have always risen to the challenge. I believe that our young people are tuned into a higher power and source and will come through for all of us and the planet we live on.
God Bless Mr. Reich!
I have always told my two daughters throughout life..."never give up, I mean never"1
Hope is the opposite of apathy.
Thanks to YOU this day for these words of reassurance and perspective.
I feel like this is a "safe space" where I come to recalibrate my fears and despair about the political, economic, cultural landscape. Thank you for your rational, thoughtful, and beautifully expressed Thanksgiving Toast for us.
Sharing this with all my concerned family too. (Thank goodness there are no "Uncle Bobs" among them.)
But Mr. Reich, you are now everyone's "Uncle Bob" (not that racist other guy to whom you referred), and for that we on this forum are deeply grateful.
Thank you Robert, and Happy Thanksgiving to YOU -- for whom I am profoundly grateful.
As always, thanks Professor Reich. Your message today is a good one, not entirely optimistic but neither is it full of despair. Yes, things were pretty horrifying back in 1968 when I, as a 14 year old kid, saw the danger swirling around me which gave me pause at that young age to start paying attention. Well, I’m still paying attention but this time the situation is much more dire. As long as there is hope of deliverance for a nation and world in peril I will try and keep my head above the fray. Happy thanksgiving to you and yours and to all reading who celebrate.