Don’ t settle for the probable, reach for the possible
THIS November marks the 95th anniversary of the birth of Robert F Kennedy, younger brother of assassinated American president John F Kennedy. While never reaching the heights or notoriety of his older brother JFK, Bobby nonetheless made a huge impact on American life during his all too brief life.
At the age of 36 he was appointed United States Attorney General, serving as the closest advisor to the President from 1961 to 1963. Following the death of his brother, Bobby served as a United States Senator from 1965 until June 1968 when he was assassinated while campaigning to become the Democratic Party nominee for the 1968 US Presidential race.
Bobby Kennedy’s greatness lies not only for what he accomplished in his short life and career but for the impact he has had on others, even after his death. In November 2005 on what would have been RFK’s 80th birthday, Barack Obama, then a rookie Senator, gave a speech at the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award Ceremony.
I came across this speech last week and what struck me is how relevant it is in the context our own political landscape as we head to the polls on Saturday for what might turn out to be a defining General Election.
‘Within the confines of these walls and the boundaries of this city,’ said Obama, ‘it becomes very easy to play small-ball politics. At some point we stop reaching for the possible and resign ourselves to that which is most probable...
‘If this is a land where destiny is not determined by birth or circumstance, we have a duty to ensure that the child of a millionaire and the child of a welfare mom have the same chance in life...
‘It’s the timidity of politics that’s holding us back right now – the politics of can’t do and oh-well... It’s time for us to meet the whys of today with the why-nots we often quote but rarely live – to answer ‘why hunger’ and ‘why homeless,’ ‘why violence’ and ‘why despair’ with ‘why not good jobs and living wages,’ ‘why not better health care and world-class schools,’ ‘why not a country where we make possible the potential that exists in every human being?’
Why not, indeed.
If only some of our own politicians could have read Obama’s reflections on Robert
Kennedy before hitting the campaign trail a couple of weeks ago. Because what has struck me with this election is the stark lack of inspiration among candidates across the political spectrum.
I read despairingly last week that Fianna Fáil’s finance spokesperson, Michael McGrath, described himself as a ‘safe pair of hands’. Not exactly words to inspire a generation, is it? I can’t imagine sitting my eldest boy down and saying: ‘Son, when you grow up, you should aspire to be a safe pair of hands.’
Fine Gael’s message seems to be they are a safe bet on the economy and Brexit, while ignoring the monumental mess than have made on health and housing.
The televised leaders debates all started off promisingly before descending into a blame game, where candidates were standing pointing out everyone else’s flaws rather than focusing on their own agendas.
What is clear from this campaign is that change of some description is coming, but how that change will manifest itself is still anyone’s guess. As is always the case, turnout will be key and it will be interesting to see how a Saturday vote will impact on the numbers.
Frustration seems to be in abundance amongst the electorate, but a frustrated voter doesn’t necessarily make the effort to go to the polling station. Frustration can lead to apathy.
If I can offer one piece of advice it is this – use your vote, and use it wisely. Take a long, hard look at the candidates on your ballot sheet. Just because you may have voted for the same party all your life, doesn’t mean you have to continue with that loyalty.
Why settle for a safe pair of hands? Why not reach for the possible rather than setting for the probable?