Inauguration Day

In the spirit of the incredibly stirring inaugural address that Barack Obama has just given, I wanted to link to my friend Dave’s post on the second bill of rights. I didn’t know about this supplemental list of rights framed by Franklin Roosevelt to support meeting the “pursuit of happiness” mandate, which Obama also highlighted. It includes the right to work, a living wage, a decent home, health care, a good education and a secure old age. I believe that Obama is the first hope we’ve had of making some progress toward achieving these rights for all Americans.

Despite the challenges we face, I have hope today. I look forward to a future of change, because change is what we need. I hope that Obama’s presidency will address all of these issues and others that he mentioned prominently: the equality of all people and the health of our planet where we all live.

Obama is calling for a new era of responsibility. I think the younger generations are eager and willing to embrace that responsiblity.

Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address: Full Text