My heart bleeds for all involved in the Tornado tragedies of this week.  Though I have not met them, they are my fellow Americans, my brothers and sisters of Freedom.  That is something that bounds us, not just by land and liberty, but by love.  President Obama, said this morning in his address on the issue, that the hope for all of the survivors is the certainty that “Americans from every corner of this country will be right there with them, opening our homes, our hearts to those in need. Because we’re a nation that stands with our fellow citizens as long as it takes.” Full speech…

Humanitarianism is the foundation of America.  We do not exist without that love for one another, that understanding of each other’s burdens.  President Obama has said it before, “We are all in this together.”  Today he takes our commitment to another level in his closing remarks to Oklahoma “Your country will travel it with you, fueled by our faith in the Almighty and our faith in one another.”

Paul Lovelis
President Pima County Young Democrats
Arizona

Mistakes come and mistakes fade, what is important to remember is that we are all human and while we make mistakes we also make amazing strides as well.  Take my mother for example, in 5^th grade she forced me to go to school with a terrible pain in my shoulder, that she wrote off as strained muscle.  After telling the nurse, she agreed with my mother and attempted to massage the knot out.  In all the pain, I could only wimper the words, “get my mother.”  My mother left work early (and quite angrily might I add) to pick me up and take me to be examined.  On the ride to the chiropractic (not a hospital mind you) I couldn’t help but feel she was disappointed that I was making such a big deal about a pulled muscle. After an x-ray, she admitted she was wrong and that I had indeed broken my collarbone.  A mistake she will have to live with for the rest of our lives. 

But my mother has accomplished some amazing things as well.  Many of my colleagues and community members often, say “your mother must be very proud of you.”  To which I respond, I think she should be very proud of herself.  After all, who I am and where I am is because of her hard dedication, and strong will with an arrogantly stubborn child.   It is because of her that I am so involved and compassionate towards my community.  It is her willingness to argue with me through all hours of the night, that I am able to passionately advocate for the ideals that matter to me.  I owe her everything and so does the community I serve.

I think about that a lot when I hear of others mistakes, I remember the ones my mom made, and yet I love her.  So shouldn’t I love others who are pointed out for their mistakes as well, after all haven’t they achieved something in their time?  Take the Presidents for example, every one of them including President Obama have had their rough mistakes.  Most often, they are just too busy to oversee everything their people do.  Too often we focus in on those mistakes, and of course it is hard to find the good in a stranger, when the bad is pointed out so easily.

I recently heard an individual talk about American household debt and how well the people have done in getting that down.  But I wonder, is it possible that we have the President to thank for that.  The Financial Times Article on Market Insights pointed out that Americans have actually lowered their debt while Europeans have risen their debt. One reviewer used this to ask why can’t the government follow along, but I can’t help but think the government is serving us in an effort to make us sustainable, thereby sustaining the market as a whole.  Isn’t that what they should do? 

This is the first time in decades that America’s household debt has been lower than Europe’s.  President Obama may not be a close friend or relative, but like our mothers he is capable of both mistakes and triumphs.  Also like our mothers, we often forget to look at ourselves in reflection to determine their greatest triumphs.  I stand by President Obama and my mother, because I’m well off and I have them to thank for it.

Paul Lovelis
President Pima County Young Democrats
Arizona

In March at the YDA Faith and Values Leadership Summit, we discussed the importance of Inter-Faith communication.  At first it began as a comment from a panelist, then some interests peaked amongst the crowd, and growing into a longer conversation amongst the panel.  One of the panelists Haris Tarin, mentioned that when he met with White House Staff just before the summit he was asked how America could improve the situation in Israel.  Haris Tarin brought up the question for us, how can we promote peace elsewhere, when in America the different religions do not talk?

We were all moved by this question.  As you looked around the room you saw people posting this quote on Facebook and Twitter. But it was not until break that it came to a full realization that Inter-Faith communication is absolutely needed, and easily acheived.  As we all got up to grab water, coffee, and mingle; the panelists kept talking, even more incitefully than before.   It occurred to me that the panelists truly were interested in continuing the conversation, so much that they passed up bolting out, getting coffee, or even talking with the audience.  I wasnt privied to the conversation, but I could tell that it was enlightenening.  From across the room, you could see one bending over across the table to hear every word of the other.  In reflecting upon that moment, it strikes me as odd that this doesnt happen often enough.  But as we continue forward as YDA Faith and Values, as Americans, as peaceful members of faith, and as human beings; let us remember that the first step to peace and tranquility is not reading a book about each other, but rahter sitting down at the table to talk.  May the communication continue on peacefully forever and ever, amen.