The Next Decade...

The last ten years have seen a lot of changes for average Americans. Internet is faster. Networking is easier. The world has watched us and laughed...and lately, looked on us for guidance with a new respect. For me, the biggest change has been taking an interest in my government and what it does. Since I was only 7 when this decade started, I think I can be forgiven for my lack of civic involvement.

Adam Rogers, at change.org, has an interesting post out with his Utopian vision for the next decade of gay rights. He's got everything; a handful of openly gay Governors, Tammy Baldwin as Speaker of the House, President Linda Sanchez, SecEd Jared Polis, and marriage equality secured in most states. He also threw in the demise of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and a few federal laws and regulations that have been a long time coming.

Kristin Ivie, with Social Citizens (whose quiz tells me I AM, in fact, a Social Citizen!), compiled a list of thoughts and comments from leaders like Maya Enista, Ben Rattray, and Jason Rzepka.

Rzepka, Vice-President of Public Affairs at MTV, makes the point that in 2000 nobody really could have predicted the huge changes that were made in the last decade. Which made me realize it probably isn't a good idea to try to make specific predictions.

I had grand ideas of writing a big ol' post about everything I think might happen in this country over the next ten years. I also considered writing about the last ten years (as E.J. Dionne has - and he did a good job, too). But, instead, I'm just sharing with you these few articles on the past and the future...on our failures and our hopes.

As for me, I am optimistic. A lot of young progressives are doubtful about 2010. They're worried about what will happen over the next few years - what if 2008 was a one-time-deal? I'm confident that this decade will be a good one for us. We may not win every battle but in the overall struggle, we are always inching forward. The 2010's will be no different. I know this generation will not accept that we have come this far - we have achieved so much - to stop now. We will continue to fight. We will meet the challenges that face us head-on, and we will find success in this new decade.