I must say that this election feels much different to me than other big wins, such as 1996, 2006, and 2008. The days following those elections were always filled with a sense of hope, hope that we would fulfill the promises we had just fought so hard for. This time is different. I'm filled less by a feeling of hope than the overwhelming sense of satisfaction that our accomplishments will be solidified for generations to come!
This is not say that there aren't hard fights that lie ahead regarding immigration reform, the more fair tax system, the continued expansion of marriage equality, and so much more.
I remember, however, a late night conversation with a Democratic friend of mine on the eve of my wedding in 2009, in which I argued that I would gladly sacrifice both the House and the Senate for healthcare reform. My friend, like many Democrats, thought it was too high price to pay. I argued, and still believe, that we win elections to accomplish big things. Healthcare reform had eluded us for two or three generations and we had paid a grisly price in millions of silently lost lives during that time. I still believe that.
The feeling of sheer elation that I have felt for the last two days is not hope. No, it is certainty that beginning on January 1, 2014, our long journey to bring healthcare to millions of our fellow citizens will be all but fulfilled. Yes, there will need to be additional reforms and improvements.
Make no mistake, we have made a huge difference. We have built a better America. It's not a hope, it's a reality!
