This week communities all across America will hold parades to celebrate the 77th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They will remember the peaceful marches, the powerful speeches, and the devoted following, that stirred the conscience of America and transformed our nation into one of acceptance. From the integration of Central High School in Little Rock to the passage of the Civil Rights Act, Dr. King inspired a movement that helped America grow together rather than apart.
As we honor the man who dared to dream of equality for all, it is a fitting time to ask whether we are doing our best to fulfill Dr. King's legacy. Have we done everything we can to create opportunity for all, and see that everyone is treated fairly?
Have we done everything we can to see that prices are fair and that giant corporations do not take advantage of hard working Americans? From fuel, to medicine, to health care, it is critical to see that no one is taken advantage of. A great example of this is the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. It gives the pharmaceutical and insurance industries the ability to take advantage of our seniors and our government without helping the very people that need it the most.
We still have alarming inequities in our education system, compounded by a recently passed bill that reduces support for student loans by $12.7 billion.
Our founding fathers recognized that we cannot be a successful country by allowing the government to grant favored status to a special few. This philosophy led to the greatest nation on earth. Let us continue to remember what made us a great nation, “that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness”.
While Dr. King would be proud of our progress in relieving racial inequities, I believe he would see more work to be done. As Dr. King once said, “We are all tied together in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” These words should remind us that America's strength is not measured by its wealthiest citizens, but by its commitment to making sure every citizen, regardless of race or income, has the opportunity to one day achieve Dr. King's dream.
