Hello Everyone,

I am proud that my personal history is woven into the fabric of this district.  In my youth, I was educated in this district's public schools and played in these neighborhoods. As a teenager, I worked in the Americorp program on issues affecting this district.  After college I chose to come back to Denver to play a role in the community where I grew up.  My wife and I chose to buy a house in the historic Five Points neighborhood to be a part of its rich history and cultural traditions.  Someday, we would like to raise our children in this district.  We want our children to enjoy the beautiful trees at City Park, and to take them to them play in the fountain at the Stapleton Town Center on a hot summer day .  We want them to make friends in our neighborhood schools and learn about the world right here. 

I want to represent this district as your state senator because I have a personal connection to this place.  I know people in every neighborhood in our district and I am committed to making a difference in their lives.  Most of my life has been spent in service to this community, and I want to continue my service in the state senate.  I am proud of the diversity in this district.  I love the eclectic mix of residents, new and old.  I value the cultural diversity here and I think that our community has incredible promise.  As your state senator, I will work relentlessly to improve the lives of ALL residents of this district by focusing on EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.  These are the needs that unite our district.  Every child deserves access to a world class education no matter where they live in our district.  Every resident should be entitled to affordable healthcare regardless of their income, employment status, zip code or ethnicity.  And all of our residents should have an opportunity to improve their quality of life through employment and economic development opportunities.

As your state senator, I will commit to the following priorities:

• Defend our community colleges against budget cuts, fund our public schools and ensure that every child has access to a world class education from kindergarten through graduate school.
• Continue the battle against the restrictive budget limits imposed by TABOR that prevent us from investing in education and healthcare.
• Push economic development opportunities for our community by helping small businesses and individuals access "green" jobs.
• Fight for affordable healthcare for all Coloradans and increase funding for our community clinics.

Several members of our community agree with my vision and believe that I have the tools to serve you well in the state senate.  I have also been endorsed by the following elected officials:

The Honorable Wellington E. Webb, Former Mayor of Denver

The Honorable Wilma Webb, Former State Rep. for House District 8

The Honorable Penfield Tate, Former State Senator for District 33

The Honorable Abel Tapia, State Senator for District 3, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and Member of the Joint Budget Committee

The Honorable Joe Miklosi, State Rep. for House District 3

The Honorable Daniel Kagan, State Rep. for House District 9

NEED MORE ?

There are three reasons why you should choose me as your next state senator;

1) I am committed to service. I have mentored youth in this community for nearly a decade.  I have served on boards for several non-profit organizations including; the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center that helps children who are abused and neglected, Kappa Housing, Inc. that creates affordable senior housing options, the French American Chamber of Commerce that works to promote economic development opportunities between French companies and businesses in the Rocky Mountain region (I am also fluent in French), the Sun Microsystems Foundation as their Digital Divide Champion, DePauw University's Alumni Association for Colorado and the University of Denver's African American Alumni Association. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Capitol Hill United Neighborhood Association (CHUN) and have been appointed to the Complete Count Sub-committee for the 2010 Census for the City and County of Denver at the pleasure of Mayor Hickenlooper and I chair the Civic Action Committee for the Denver Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.   I am also a regular guest speaker at the Gilliam Youth Detention Center.  This year, I received the University of Denver's Community Service Award bestowed by the Chancellor of the University, and have been added to their Alumni Wall of Honor.

2) I am a business-minded individual with significant experience in the private sector.  I have spent the last eleven years solving problems in private industry and have an MBA in International Business from the University of Denver.  I have worked as a management consultant, managed large international projects and worked with executives, dignitaries and hard working hourly employees.  My career has taken me through Fortune 500 companies, small start-up environments, working for firms overseas, and into the classroom as an adjunct professor.  I also worked in the federal government for the U.S. Department of Commerce.  In each case, I have been able to bring diverse people together with differing points of view to find compromise and forge solutions.  My experiences in the private, non-profit and public sector will be an asset to the people of this senate district. 

3) I have served the Democratic Party with distinction.  Every member of this committee is a Democratic Party official or is a Democrat serving in elected office.  I have demonstrated my commitment to the Democratic Party and to progressive ideals through my service as an elected member of the Democratic National Committee.  I was also elected as a National Obama Voting Delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Colorado's First Congressional District (CD1) - Senate District 33 lies at the heart of CD1.  As a party official, I have been a consistent and visible contributor to Democratic activities in Senate District 33 and across Colorado.  I will continue this track record in the state senate and will engage my constituents in every part of the district.

I will be a strong and independent voice in the senate.  I am not scared of a fight and I am prepared for the challenges ahead - including redistricting and reapportionment that will take place in 2011.  I have already had extensive conversations with people who have previously been involved in this process like former State Senator for District 33 Penfield Tate (who is endorsing me).  Redistricting and reapportionment are a team effort that will involve many groups and will be led by legislative committee or through a Reapportionment Commission that will be appointed by the leadership in all three branches of our state government. 

I will seek out your opinions and allow your needs to steer legislation.  I will listen to your issues and be respectful, even when we do not agree.  I will guard the decorum of the senate and I will never forget that you have appointed me to a trust.  I am ready to be your Community Senator and would be honored to represent this District in the legislature.  I am asking for your vote tonight - Monday, May 11^th.  

The vote will take place tonight at Smiley Middle School, located at 2540 Holly St., Denver, CO 80207.  Registration begins at 6:00 p.m. and balloting will begin at 7:00 p.m.  If you need a ride to the polls, my campaign would be happy to arrange a ride, just call my cell phone at 303.579.7062.

Thank you for your consideration.

Anthony E. Graves

Colorado Senate Candidate - District 33

For more information, please visit my website at: http://www.anthonyericgraves.com/

Video Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ0mKlXrAMU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcBPmUs89uc

http://www.du.edu/features/stories/anthonyGraves.html

I am running for Colorado's State Senate in District 33.

This week I announced my candidacy for State Senate.  There will be a special vacancy election held on Monday, May 11th as my current State Senator, the Honorable Peter Groff, is stepping down to pursue other opportunities.  There are only 150 votes in this special election, all Democratic party officials and public officials who are Democrats living in the district.  I have an uphill battle as I am running against a well-known candidate and I am a clear underdog in this race,... but I am enjoying the climb! 

In a few short days I have learned so much about the needs of my community.  I haven't discovered any startling new truths, instead, I have gained personal stories and affirmations about needs I was already aware of.  I have had a chance to speak with people face to face, talk to them in their living rooms and hear about their vision for this community.  Whatever happens in this race, I am a better citizen for this effort.  

For more information about my race and platform, check: www.AnthonyEricGraves.com 

I just received a new press release from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) that I thought I should share.  Governor Tim Kaine, the Chairman of the DNC, has just appointed members to the Democratic Change Commission.  The purpose of the commission is to evaluate the current presidential nominating process and make recommendations for how to make it more efficient and inclusive.  My colleague Debbie Marquez, another DNC member serving Colorado, has been appointed.  Congratulations Debbie!

_____

** High Priority **

For Immediate Release

March 23, 2009


Gov. Kaine Names Democratic Change Commission To Recommend Changes to
2012 Presidential Nominating Process

Congressman James Clyburn and Senator Claire McCaskill to Serve as
Co-Chairs, Kaine Says

Washington, D.C.—Today, Governor Tim Kaine, Chairman of the
Democratic National Committee, announced the 37 member Democratic Change
Commission, which will recommend changes to the Democratic Party’s
rules for the 2012 presidential nominating and delegate selection
process. Governor Kaine also announced that he has named Congressman
James Clyburn of South Carolina and Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri
as Co-Chairs of the Change Commission.

“This Commission will focus on reform that improves the presidential
nominating process to put voters first and ensure that as many people as
possible can participate,” said Kaine. “I want to thank all the
members of the Commission who have agreed to serve, including
Congressman Clyburn and Senator McCaskill who have graciously agreed to
serve as co-chairs.”

Governor Kaine went on to say that he hopes to work with the Republican
National Committee on a common approach that puts voters first.

President Obama first announced his intention to form the Democratic
Change Commission in August 2008, during his presidential campaign.
Delegates to the Democratic National Convention adopted President
Obama’s proposal on Monday, August 25, 2008.

The Democratic Change Commission will address three issues: 1) changing
the window of time during which primaries and caucuses may be held 2)
reducing the number of superdelegates and 3) improving the caucus
system. A copy of the convention resolution establishing the Commission
is below. The Commission must issue its report and recommendations to
the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee no later than January 1, 2010.

The Commission is made up of 35 members and two co-chairs and
represents a diverse mix of DNC members, elected officials,
representatives of State Parties, academics, labor, business, grassroots
activists and other Party leaders. A complete list of the
Commission’s members is below.

###

Co-Chairs:

Congressman Jim Clyburn
Columbia, South Carolina

Senator Claire McCaskill
St. Louis, Missouri

Commission Members:

Grassroots Activist Jeremy Alters
Miami, Florida

Political Strategist Jeff Berman
Washington, DC

Grassroots Activist Ashley Bliss
Atlanta, Georgia

State Representative Dan Blue
Raleigh, North Carolina

Political Strategist Bill Carrick
Los Angeles, California

Mayor Michael Coleman
Columbus, Ohio

Political Strategist Jeff Forbes
Washington, DC

Grassroots Activist Joan Garry
Montclair, New Jersey

State Chair Larry Gates
Overland Park, Kansas

School Board Member Adelita Grijalva
Tucson, Arizona

Professor Rob Hampshire
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Former State Chair Ned Helms
Concord, New Hampshire

Former Labor Secretary Alexis Herman
McLean, Virginia

Chairman Ron His Horse Is Thunder
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

IBT President James Hoffa
Detroit, Michigan

Grassroots Activist Roseanne Hope
Minneapolis, Minnesota

State Senator Steven Horsford
Las Vegas, Nevada

Grassroots Activist Suzie LeVine
Seattle, Washington

UAW CAP Director Dick Long
Detroit, Michigan

Grassroots Activist Andres Lopez
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Former Attorney General Patricia Madrid
Albuquerque, New Mexico

DNC Member Debbie Marquez
Edwards, Colorado

State Senator Iris Martinez
Chicago, Illinois

Delegate Jennifer McClellan
Richmond, Virginia

Secretary of State Linda McCulloch
Helena, Montana

Attorney General Tom Miller
Des Moines, Iowa

DNC Member Minyon Moore
Washington, DC

Grassroots Activist Sunah Park
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Campaign Manager David Plouffe
Washington, DC

Grassroots Activist Rebecca Prozan
San Francisco, California

DNC Member James Roosevelt, Jr
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
Lakewood, California

AFT President Randi Weingarten
New York City, New York

State Chair Meredith Wood Smith
Portland, Oregon

Grassroots Activist Martin Yeung
Rapid City, South Dakota

Resolution Establishing the Democratic Change Commission
(This resolution was recommended by the 2008 Convention Rules Committee
at its August 23, 2008 meeting and adopted by the 2008 Democratic
National Convention on August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado)


Section 1. Establishment of Democratic Change Commission.

BE IT RESOLVED: That no later than 60 days after the date of the next
election of the National Chair of the Democratic National Committee
(DNC), the National Chair shall establish a commission (the
“Commission”) to review the Delegate Selection Rules in light of
developments during the 2008 presidential nominating cycle and to
recommend changes to the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2012
Democratic National Convention, not inconsistent with these resolutions,
to improve the nominating process.

RESOLVED FURTHER: That the Commission shall be known as the
“Democratic Change Commission;” that it shall consist of 35
members and two co-chairs, all with the right to vote on Commission
business, appointed by the National Chair of the DNC; that its
membership shall be equally divided between men and women and shall be
geographically and demographically diverse; that the DNC shall provide
the Commission with adequate staff and resources to carry out its
mandate in accordance with this Resolution; and that the Commission
shall issue its report and recommendations to the Rules and Bylaws
Committee of the DNC no later than January 1, 2010.

Section 2. Timing of the Primaries and Caucuses.

RESOLVED FURTHER: That the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2012
Convention shall provide that no meetings, caucuses, conventions or
primaries which constitute the first determining stage in the
presidential nomination process (the date of the primary in primary
states and the date of the first tier caucus in caucus states) shall be
held prior to the first Tuesday in March of the election year, except as
otherwise provided in the Delegate Selection Rules and recognizing the
valuable role played by the approved pre-Window states in 2008; and
provided that no such meeting, caucus, convention or primary shall in
any event be held prior to February 1 of the calendar year of the
National Convention; and that the Commission also shall review the
sequence and scheduling of primaries and caucuses with a view towards
reducing the scheduling of such events on the first allowable date that
resulted in 22 primaries and caucuses being held on such date in 2008
and toward reducing frontloading within the Window period; and that the
Commission shall review the rules for proper enforcement of the primary
and caucus timing requirements and delegate allocation matters,
particularly with respect to action by the Rules and Bylaws Committee;
and that in making its recommendations, the Commission consider any
revision of the Rules of the Republican Party of the United States
adopted by the 2008 Republican National Convention regarding the
scheduling and sequence of presidential nominating events.
Section 3. Delegates.

RESOLVED FURTHER: That the Commission shall consider and make
appropriate recommendations for revisions to the Delegate Selection
Rules for the 2012 Democratic National Convention to provide for a
significant reduction of the number of unpledged party leader and
elected official (PLEO) delegates in order to enlarge the role and
influence of primary and caucus voters in the presidential nominating
process. The Commission also shall review the formulas for delegate
allocation to assure that delegates are fairly allocated to accurately
reflect the will of the voters and that the right of the delegates to
reflect the sentiments of those who elected them shall be secured to all
delegates.

Section 4. Caucuses.

RESOLVED FURTHER: That the Commission shall consider and recommend
appropriate revisions to the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2012
Democratic National Convention to provide that:

a. the use of a caucus/convention system for any stage of the delegate
selection process by any State Democratic Party shall be approved by the
DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee in accordance with any new specific
criteria to be set out in the Delegate Selection Rules, and which will
be designed to ensure that at each stage, any caucus or convention will
be adequately planned, organized, and staffed; will take place at such
times and in such locations as will meet the requirements of Rule 3 of
the Delegate Selection Rules and will otherwise maximize the opportunity
for full participation by Democratic voters; will be run using
appropriate balloting methods and, as to tiers following the first stage
caucus, will utilize accurate lists of participants; and will afford the
opportunity for meaningful communication of presidential candidates with
their pledged caucus participants reasonably in advance of caucuses and
conventions.

b. the use of a caucus/convention system for any stage of the delegate
selection process should be organized in a manner that will ensure the
maximum ability of Democratic voters to feasibly participate in the
first-tier caucuses, including consideration of absentee voting in
caucuses to benefit those who cannot attend a scheduled caucus due to
military service, work, health conditions, family obligations and other
similar reasons that prevent attendance in person.

Section 5. Status of Resolutions

RESOLVED FURTHER: That the Commission may address other matters related
to the presidential nominating process and Delegate Selection Rules as
may be identified by the National Chair of the Democratic National
Committee, and that for the purposes of Article Ten, Section 2 of the
Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States, these resolutions
shall be deemed to be “otherwise designated.”

Do you know about Organizing For America (OFA)? 

OFA is a continuation of the Barack Obama grass roots campaign that was built in communities across the country during the presidential election.  OFA leverages the presidential campaign infrastructure including President Obama's campaign website www.BarackObama.com, and the social networking tool MyBarackObama.com that was used by over one million organizers across the country to mobilize their communities.  The grass roots organization that was minted under the leadership of David Plouffe and others during President Obama's campaign, has been re-tooled and re-purposed to mobilize support for the implementation of President Obama's platform. 

OFA is tied closely to the efforts of the Democratic Party, and it is working in tandem with the Democratic National Committee (DNC).  OFA is focused on; 1) constituent education and 2) community mobilization around key initiatives and legislation.  OFA will continue to promote canvassing and petition efforts, neighborhood meetings and townhalls to promote President Obama's agenda. 

I have been receiving a few calls and emails from friends here in Colorado about a photo and caption of my wife and I that ran in yesterday's Denver Post (our largest newspaper here in Colorado).  I have been encouraged to post the story to my blog.

Last week, I was humbled to have been recognized by the University of Denver for their Community Service Award.  Each year, the University celebrates the achievements and contributions of five Alumni who are recognized for different distinctions.  These alumni are selected by the Chancellor of the University, and their contributions are recognized at an event that commemorates the founding of the University.  The award recipients are added to the Alumni Wall of Honor at the Leo Block Alumni Center on the university campus. 

I would like to thank the University of Denver for this great honor, and I would like to thank those in my life who helped me to understand the importance of giving back. 

I have included a link from the University of Denver's website that has a brief story and video clip about my efforts.

Here is a press release from the White House that I received today about our presence in Iraq.  What are your thoughts about President Obama's strategic plan for the region?


______________________________________________________________________

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2009

Responsibly Ending the War in Iraq

"The United States will pursue a new strategy to end the war in Iraq through a transition to full Iraqi responsibility...As we carry out this
drawdown, my highest priority will be the safety and security of our troops and civilians in Iraq. So we will proceed carefully, and I will
consult closely with my military commanders on the ground and with the Iraqi government. There will surely be difficult periods and tactical
adjustments. But our enemies should be left with no doubt: This plan gives our military the forces and flexibility they need to support our
Iraqi partners, and to succeed."

--President Barack Obama

February 27, 2009 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

On his first day in office, President Obama ordered a comprehensive review of United States Iraq policy by military commanders on the
ground, the Joint Chiefs, Secretary Gates, and his national security team. That review led to the President's February 27, 2009 announcement
at Camp Lejeune of a plan to responsibly end the war in Iraq. The three-part strategy he announced will make our country more secure by
transitioning to Iraqi responsibility and by allowing the United States to focus on a broader set of national priorities. The Administration
will pursue broad support for this plan and other major national security priorities by consulting closely with the Congress, on a
bi-partisan basis, and by working closely with friends and allies.


Responsible Removal of Combat Brigades

Based on the recommendations of his military commanders and national security team, the President has chosen a timeline that will remove all
U.S. combat brigades from Iraq over the next 18 months. By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end and Iraqi Security Forces will
have full responsibility for major combat missions.

After August 31, 2010, the mission of United States forces in Iraq will fundamentally change. Our forces will have three tasks: train, equip,
and advise the Iraqi Security Forces; conduct targeted counterterrorism operations; and provide force protection for military and civilian
personnel.

The President intends to keep our commitment under the Status of Forces Agreement to remove all of our troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.

Sustained Diplomacy

Iraq's future is now its own responsibility and the long-term success of the Iraqi nation will depend upon decisions made by the Iraqi people. A
strong political, diplomatic, and civilian effort on our part can advance progress and help lay a foundation for lasting peace and
security. A new American Ambassador will be supported by the courageous and capable work of American civilian personnel, diplomats and aid
workers.

We will work to support Iraqi national elections in 2010, help improve local government, serve as an honest broker for Iraqi leaders as they
resolve difficult political issues, increase support for the resettlement of Iraqi refugees, and help strengthen Iraqi institutions
and their capacity to protect rule of law, confront corruption, and deliver services.

Comprehensive Engagement Across the Region

The future of Iraq is inseparable from the future of the broader Middle East. It is time for Iraq to be a full partner in a regional dialogue
and for Iraq's neighbors to establish productive and normalized relations with Iraq. Going forward, the United States will pursue
principled and sustained engagement with all nations in the region, including Iran and Syria. We have already begun to renew our diplomacy
in the region, to refocus on: eliminating al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan; preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon; and actively
seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Arab world.

Finally, the President made a commitment to give our men and women in uniform the resources and clear direction they deserve and to build our
civilian national security capacity so that we can use all elements of American power to achieve our objectives in the world.


##

After eight years of mismanagement, misinformation and poor communication about the state of American crisis, a new chapter in American History began last night. 

During his address to Congress and the American people, President Obama clearly articulated a call for economic recovery and responsibility for America, and he did it in a tone that resonated with the American people.  Last night, our President demonstrated that he is in tune with the needs of his countrymen.  He began with a critical acknowledgment of the depth of our crisis by recognizing how every day Americans are being impacted by the recession.  Once he established his understanding of the crisis, and the freeze in the credit markets, he explained how we will inch towards job retention and job creation by investing in ENERGY, HEALTHCARE and EDUCATION. 

In the face of this incredible economic downturn, President Obama could have acted as President Herbert Hoover did after the stock market crash in 1929 - doing too little, too late.  Initially, Herbert Hoover underestimated the financial crisis and did not take immediate action.  He did not act decisively, nor did he provide timely communication to the American people about the impact of the financial downturn.  As the crisis deepened and the unemployment rate ballooned out of control, leaving Americans homeless and hungry, Hoover appeared aloof and out of touch with the needs of his constituents.  Then, by the time Americans were living in shantytowns with Hoover's namesake ("Hoovervilles"), Hoover initiated some federal spend and volunteer projects that were poorly timed and of inadequate scale to make an impact.   President Hoover failed to act quickly and to connect with American people to discuss the humanity of the crisis. 

Conversely, President Obama has taken swift and bold action by signing The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, and communicating frankly with the country about the hardship that they are enduring.  He recognized that inaction would have meant greater loss and collateral damage for our economy.  With the stimulus in place, the President is now positioned to deliver on many of his campaign pledges; 1) tax cuts for 95% of Americans as of April 1st, 2) $2,500 tax cuts a year for college students - for all four years of college, 3) Invest heavily in the Green Energy Economy to create jobs and minimize our reliance on foreign oil, and 4) Raise military pay and veterans benefits.  The act will also provide services that are imperative to surviving this economy; extended unemployment insurance, and he has created a fund to provide loans to students and small businesses. 

President Obama is also proactively managing the difficult task of transparency around the allocation of federal funds through the historic Recovery Act legislation.  He has; 1) Appointed VP Biden to personally oversee the management of the Recovery Act expenditures, 2) warned governors and mayors that they will be held accountable, 3) primed the Inspector General to watch the process like a hawk, and 4) launched Recovery.org.

If President Obama ended his address there, it would have been sufficient to exceed my expectations, but in true Obama style - he did more.  Most impressive was the President's call to Congress and the American people to step up their efforts, and to take responsibility for their actions.  President Obama asked Congress to send him legislation to; 1) tackle carbon emissions through a cap and trade system, 2) begin the difficult work of comprehensive healthcare reform and 3) to pass the Hatch-Kennedy Act that will expand national service programs like Americorp that empower Americans to volunteer for their country and receive a stipend, or offset college tuition. (After high school, I participated in the Americorp program and benefited greatly from the civic education and the college assistance it afforded me).  

It was also incredible to hear President Obama raise the bar for accountability for all Americans, including himself.  He has publicly committed (at least twice) to reduce the national deficit by half by the end of his first term!  He also pledged to terminate wasteful, no-bid federal contracts, and end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.  Most poignant, was his challenge to parents - to parent their children (turn-off the t.v., turn-off the video games, and encourage your kids to study), and to students - every high school graduate should pursue post-secondary education. 

Please do your part to support the noble and ambitious efforts of our president.  If you are a parent, stay connected with your children and push them to work hard.  If you are a student, commit to higher-education after high school and take advantage of opportunities to volunteer in your community.  And to all Americans, monitor the actions of your Congressmen to ensure an unswerving commitment to President Obama's plan for America.

Have you achieved your full potential?

I think we all ask that question of ourselves at different points in our lives.  It is not uncommon for us to look back on our personal histories, our achievements and mistakes while wondering if we are en route to fulfill our divine purpose.  Each and every one of us wants to achieve our full potential - to do something meaningful and good in life.  Many of us are also fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family members who have helped us along life's path and share great aspirations for us.    

I think that our country is no different.  I believe that many Americans contemplate the history of our nation and ponder whether it will achieve its full potential.  When the founding fathers of our country convened to draft the constitution, they had high hopes for our nation.  They took incredible pains to study natural rights philosophy, Greek and Roman history, religion and the rule of law - all in an effort to craft a just society that would be a moral beacon to the world.  Thomas Jefferson and others hoped that under the guidance of our constitution, our nation would "Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity..."  I wonder what the founders would think about how their child, our young nation, has fared in defending its values and ideals? 

Since the founders of our country laid the ambitious corner-stone for our society, there have been many moments in our nation's young history when we have strayed from greatness, like a troubled teenager rebelling against authority.  Our government's authorization of Japanese-American Internment Camps, the era of McCarthyism, the Bay of Pigs, the Tuskegee Experiment and the Vietnam War are just a few examples of periods when our country fell short of its potential.  These were times in history where a lapse of judgment by our government (often by Congress and the Commander and Chief) led to the moral decline of our society.  In each case, raw emotion and ideological extremes eclipsed rationality and led to the injury of America's reputation in the world, and an assault on American ideals.

The last eight years have witnessed similar challenges in American history that may have kept the founders up at night as our nation grappled with its moral bearings; Abu Ghraib prison, "enhanced interrogation techniques" (also known as torture), declining international opinion, erosion of public trust, no bid war contracts that have cost Americans billions in tax payer money, a failed response to Hurricane Katrina and other infractions too numerous to mention.  Like most parents, I suspect our founders were deeply troubled by the errant behavior of their offspring.  They probably would have called America to the carpet or taken him to the wood shed, reminding him of his potential in life, and his responsibility to his citizens - and the world.

Tonight, as I listened to President Obama address both houses of Congress, I felt strongly that the nation had returned to a righteous path, towards its full potential.  If the founders had been in the gallery, sitting next to Michelle Obama, staring down into the well of the House, listening intently to our 44th President, they would have felt that their efforts to seed a great nation were not in vain.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog entry called Best Practices: Transparency in Government.

I linked my blog to a CNN Clip that profiled two freshman legislators from both sides of the aisle.  CNN has posted the second and third chapters of their profile about Freshmen on the Hill.  Click here to check out the new clips featuring Rep. Jared Polis (D), from Colorado's 2nd Congressional District and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) of Utah.  

These clips provide an interesting peek into the world of our Congressmen, and give insight about the challenges and privileges of their position.

Today, President Obama signed the $787 billion Economic Stimulus Bill (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) into law at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, just blocks from my house.  As the ink dries, the work begins to rebuild our nation.

Most people will remember where they were when Barack Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th President of the United States,  but I believe we should also take note of where we were today when the landmark legislation was penned that will define Obama's Presidency and impact Americans for generations.

I wish I could say that I was there in the museum, looking through the large museum windows that open to Denver's City Park, the downtown Denver skyline and our purple-mountain majesty, as President Obama lifted his pen to ink history.  The deft movement of his pen did not just trace his signature, he inked the lines of bridges and roads that will be built across the country, he drew the lines of school repairs and solar panels, of wind farms and of a brighter future for the country. 

Over the last couple of weeks, I have received several calls and emails from friends who have recently lost their jobs.  They contact me in the hopes that I might know of some job opening that will get them back on their feet, or help them to take care of their families.  I always feel helpless and unable to respond to their needs.  While the Recovery Act is not a instant fix, I am comforted by the fact that many Americans will find their way back to work because our government has taken action.  I have no illusions that it will take time for us to emerge from this crisis, but today President Obama did his part to help us right our path.