He's Back!

I was extremely excited to see a familiar face on Aaron Brown's Newsnight on CNN last night. I predicted that he would be reappearing soon, talking about what had been his signature issue, and there he was -- my pick for President, Senator John Edwards.

It was inspiring to hear him talk again, to hear his suggestions for a New New Deal as a way to help rebuild the people and places of New Orleans. Of course it's a great idea to create a new WPA-style work program, that would enable the people of New Orleans and the Gulf region to be employed to cealn up the city and put the pieces back together again. Of course we need to work on proving to the evacuees again that *America* believes in their worth, and that they should believe in their worth, no matter what the experiences of the last 2 weeks may have indicated.

True relief isn't just about rebuilding structures, it's about rebuilding people, helping them restore their lives and their physical and emotional health. A huge part of that is in renewing hope for the future, and restoring the dignity of work and self-sufficiency. It's time for a new FDR, strategies on the level of the New Deal or the Great Society, a sweeping new approach to elevate all Americans. If there's one thing Katrina can teach us, it's that a rising tide does indeed lift all boats.

If the election were held tomorrow, John Edwards would have my vote.