Love, Hope, and Optimism: Story of an American Commonwealth
Jul 29, 2017 23:35:23 GMT
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Post by Dustin on Jul 29, 2017 23:35:23 GMT
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
-Jack Layton
July 1, 2017
Thousands of people were gathered in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, on the bank of the Schuylkill River, on a hot and humid summer night. They gathered there to join their nation's leader in celebrating the anniversary of America's unification into a single nation in 1785. The Prime Minister, a balding Torontonian with a well-groomed mustache, stood alone on stage.
“Over two hundred years ago, a new nation was brought into the world. Nobody knew then that the new nation would find its place as one of the great nations of the world. Over the years we have surmounted innumerable challenges, wars, inequality, crises of all kinds that would have torn a lesser nation apart, but America prevailed. The American people came together in times of crisis and worked together to forge a stronger nation of common people. This commitment we have to one another continues, and while we remind ourselves we have done well, we must also remind ourselves that we must continue to stand for progress.”
Prime Minister Jack Layton continued his speech marking America Day. His words cut through the humid July air, electrifying the crowd of thousands of Americans standing before him, making them and thousands more across America remember what they had to be proud of as Americans, their compassion, diversity, and commitment to one another.
“Looking back on our long and storied history it is clear to me that Americans can do anything, so don’t let them tell you something can’t be done. On behalf of our family, Olivia and I wish you all a very happy America Day. Now please let us join you in watching the fireworks.”
As the Prime Minister’s speech ended he was joined onstage by his wife, Olivia. The couple embraced each other and waved to the crowd as they were met by roaring applause. The pair walked off stage as the applause died, and then the lights in the park were dimmed and the first firework streaked across the sky, exploding in a burst of green, white, and blue, the colours of the American flag.
Jack Layton had been Prime Minister for almost seven years at that point, earning reelection after having navigated the country through a deep recession that had brought down two previous governments. In 2010, after years of failing, complacent government, Jack Layton had inspired a tired nation and, as a reward, was swept into power. Since then his government had confronted the challenges of job loss, financial instability, and rising costs of education and health care. It had weathered the departure of a coalition partner and emerged from a new election with the first outright majority for the Social Democratic Party since the days of Tommy Douglas.
As the end of Jack Layton's second term in office approached, climate change and increasing economic inequality were two issues at the front of the Prime Minister's mind, and he vowed to himself that he would not allow them to go unaddressed in the coming election.
But for now, he would enjoy America Day and take a moment to reflect on the the progress that had already been made, returning to Powell House after the fireworks display for a calm night in.
-Jack Layton
Love, Hope, and Optimism:
The Story of an American Commonwealth
Chapter One: America Day
July 1, 2017
Thousands of people were gathered in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, on the bank of the Schuylkill River, on a hot and humid summer night. They gathered there to join their nation's leader in celebrating the anniversary of America's unification into a single nation in 1785. The Prime Minister, a balding Torontonian with a well-groomed mustache, stood alone on stage.
“Over two hundred years ago, a new nation was brought into the world. Nobody knew then that the new nation would find its place as one of the great nations of the world. Over the years we have surmounted innumerable challenges, wars, inequality, crises of all kinds that would have torn a lesser nation apart, but America prevailed. The American people came together in times of crisis and worked together to forge a stronger nation of common people. This commitment we have to one another continues, and while we remind ourselves we have done well, we must also remind ourselves that we must continue to stand for progress.”
Prime Minister Jack Layton continued his speech marking America Day. His words cut through the humid July air, electrifying the crowd of thousands of Americans standing before him, making them and thousands more across America remember what they had to be proud of as Americans, their compassion, diversity, and commitment to one another.
“Looking back on our long and storied history it is clear to me that Americans can do anything, so don’t let them tell you something can’t be done. On behalf of our family, Olivia and I wish you all a very happy America Day. Now please let us join you in watching the fireworks.”
As the Prime Minister’s speech ended he was joined onstage by his wife, Olivia. The couple embraced each other and waved to the crowd as they were met by roaring applause. The pair walked off stage as the applause died, and then the lights in the park were dimmed and the first firework streaked across the sky, exploding in a burst of green, white, and blue, the colours of the American flag.
Jack Layton had been Prime Minister for almost seven years at that point, earning reelection after having navigated the country through a deep recession that had brought down two previous governments. In 2010, after years of failing, complacent government, Jack Layton had inspired a tired nation and, as a reward, was swept into power. Since then his government had confronted the challenges of job loss, financial instability, and rising costs of education and health care. It had weathered the departure of a coalition partner and emerged from a new election with the first outright majority for the Social Democratic Party since the days of Tommy Douglas.
As the end of Jack Layton's second term in office approached, climate change and increasing economic inequality were two issues at the front of the Prime Minister's mind, and he vowed to himself that he would not allow them to go unaddressed in the coming election.
But for now, he would enjoy America Day and take a moment to reflect on the the progress that had already been made, returning to Powell House after the fireworks display for a calm night in.