"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane." (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

As we prepare to hear Barack Obama speak tomorrow night, I can't help but wish we were all gathering to hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak to us instead.

Why Dr. King and not President Obama? King didn't believe in incrementalism. His love for humanity gave him determination, resolve and the courage to fight. King demanded justice and nothing short of justice. King had a clear, bright, unequivocal, and unwavering acknowledgment of the differences between right and wrong. He was angry and brilliant and full of compassion and indignation.

What we need today and tomorrow is a President who strives to be more like Dr. King.

Perhaps, from within the White House bubble, our President cannot find his way to my blog post here. Yet, maybe he will. So, Mr. President, if you are reading this, I wish to respectfully ask you to read some words spoken by Dr. King at the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom, May 17, 1957 in front of the Lincoln Memorial. I believe these words are ones that should be addressed to you and our current leadership in Washington in the same spirit and with the same clarity that Dr. King addressed our leaders 53 years ago:

In this junction of our nation's history there is an urgent need for dedicated and courageous leadership. ...

There is need for a strong, aggressive leadership from the federal government. ...

This dearth of positive leadership from the federal government is not confined to one particular party. Both parties have betrayed the cause of justice. ...

In the midst of these prevailing conditions, we come to Washington today pleading with the president and the members of Congress to provide a strong, moral and courageous leadership for a situation that cannot permanently be evaded. ... The hour is late. The clock of destiny is ticking out. We must act now, before it is too late. ...

There is a dire need today for a liberalism which is truly liberal. What we are witnessing today... is a sort of quasi liberalism which is based on the principle of looking sympathetically at all sides. It is a liberalism so bent on seeing all sides that it fails to become committed to either side. It is a liberalism that is so objectively analytical that it is not subjectively committed. It is a liberalism which is neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. ...

We call for a liberalism... which will be thoroughly committed... and will not be deterred by the propaganda and subtle words of those who say, "Slow up for a while; you are pushing too fast."

(Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)