We enter an "Era of Responsibility"

Where I worked, nearly everyone in my division (~150 people) stopped whatever it was they were doing and gathered in the conference rooms and lobby to watch Barak Obama take oath as the 44th President of these United States.

His speech was thoughtful, well written, and delivered beautifully; and if we as a nation can accomplish even a quarter of what he envisions for this country, we will be in a better place.

His goals are noble and many, but not so varied from presidents of years past. He speaks of freedom, equality, better schools, healthcare, and environmental directives. It is sad to see that we as a nation, as arguably the most powerful nation on the planet can't seem to resolve these issues that plague us year after year, administration to administration.

Maybe the difference THIS year, with THIS administration is that I believe Mr. Obama truly believes the speech he delivered.

What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

Pony up, America.

~ Hath