Hope is a Good Thing

Posted on April 7th, 2012 by Mark Stopa

As I think about the various, upcoming elections in our country, I’m reminded of some quotes from the movie Shawshank Redemption, probably my favorite movie of all time.

Andy: So you don’t forget… forget that there are places in the world that aren’t made out of stone. That there’s something inside that they can’t get to, that they can’t touch. It’s yours.
Red: What are you talking about?
Andy: Hope.
Red: Hope? Let me tell you something, my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane. It’s got no use on the inside. You better get used to that idea.
Andy: Like Brooks did?

(Later in the movie, after Andy escapes from prison and Red is paroled…)

Andy: Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.

Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.

I love that quote, and not just for the movie’s sake.  That’s how I feel about our government right now.

The U.S. government is messed up – beyond description, really – and it would be easy to consider the situation hopeless.  But like Andy felt even while incarcerated (for a murder he did not commit), I remain hopeful.  I remain optimistic that our government can be changed because you, me, and other real-world, normal, every-day people will make it change.

That’s why I’m discussing the candidacy of Lisa Epstein for Clerk of Court in Palm Beach County, Deb Lilley for Clerk of Court in Charlotte County, Bob Sublett for Clerk of Court in Sarasota County, and Matt Gardi for Clerk of Court in Monroe County.

The candidacy of these three individuals may seem small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.  How can this change our government?

Please realize … it’s more than just appointing a clerk of court.  It’s about involving normal, everyday people in our government.  It’s about making sure the 1% don’t run our country forever.  It’s about ridding our government of corruption and fraud.  It’s about forcing the voice of everyday Americans to be heard.

I’m hopeful these things can happen.  I’m hopeful our government will change.  It won’t happen overnight.  It will take time.  But I’m hopeful it can happen, on all levels – from a county clerk to President of the United States and at all levels in between.

If you’re skeptical, remember …  hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.

Mark Stopa

www.stayinmyhome.com

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