The Hope of Audacity

Response to WSJ Article, Obama's Senior Moment, August 14, 2009, Response AP

THE HOPE OF AUDACITY

In the midst of the ongoing health care debate it’s good to keep in mind a vision of greater coverage and increased compassion. The recent labeling of American’s expressing their opinions and participating in the debate as mobs or maulers, is missing the point of what constitutes a democracy. President Obama wrote a book entitled The Audacity of Hope, Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. In recent weeks I have been speaking on the subject of Defending American Greatness. I have observed that both titles have merit and usefulness when considering our constitutional freedoms and the right to share our views. Our disagreements can be made, agreeably, forcefully, and analytically—but rudeness does not add strength to our propositions, whatever side we are on.

I have been asked by friends recently, why I have coined a slightly different phrase than the one used by our President in titling his book. My phrase places the word “audacity” in the noun’s best role for my views. “Audacity is defined by Miriam-Webster, as (a) intrepid boldness, (b) bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints <’had the audacity to defy his boss’>.”

Why are normal citizens offering their opinions on the administration and congressional health care proposals? Some participants have researched and studied the House Bill and await the Senate versions for their analysis. It may well be, citizens are expressing themselves, because they have discovered as did their forefathers THE HOPE OF AUDACITY.

Patrick Henry said on March 23, 1775 “I shall speak forth my sentiments, freely and without reservation…Why stand we here idle…What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” He was audacious in defending liberty.
Wendell Phillips, Puritan, graduate of Harvard Law School, 1831, noted abolitionist orator, said several audacious [bold] things in arguing for freedom and liberty,
“Debt is the fatal disease of republics”
“Today it is not big business we have to fear, Its big government”
“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”
“If there is anything in the universe that can’t stand discussion, let it crack”
Our late y oung President, John F. Kennedy, believed in the Hope of Audacity, when he spoke at Rice University-Houston Texas in 1962, these bold words, as he sought to fulfill an age old dream of mankind. “We choose to go to t he moon in this decade, not because [its] easy…and do it right, do it first, before this decade is out-we must be bold!”

Americans are entitled to join this debate everyone can discover the HOPE OF AUDACITY.

AP