Obama's election can only be a very small part of one puzzle. Though some mistook him for it, Obama and his campaign were never movements. He was just a candidate. A man. A politician. Now, he's just the temporary president. That's all.

We need movements that have nothing to do with candidates and their political ambitions.

Where are our people-powered movements?

I don't literally think we need to 'be on the street' in a physical sense but I do think we need to be creating those real tidal waves in sustainable powerful ways, apart from elections and apart from candidates. Perhaps our fellow writer and friend, Gerald Britt, said it best in a post at Everyday Citizen last August, The Prose of Citizenship:

"Sift through the political rhetoric and talking points and find the facts. Find the position you believe in and make your voice heard, by email, phone calls, texts, tweets, blogs and faxes and whatever else is out there.

"It's not enough to be a voter - that's great; now is really the time to exercise citizenship! It's time to let that voice be heard. Now is time for the crowds, the independents, the young, new voters to show up by the thousands and show up for what you want; what you believe in."

Why weren't we out there being scrappy on the streets, on the blogs, in our neighborhoods, among those we know and out in public - being vocal, demanding to be heard? Have we been willing to advocate our policies and our principles everywhere we interacted with others? Could we be more vocal, more active?

Did we encounter activism fatigue or pessimism among our compatriots? If so, why didn't we take it upon ourselves to lead, engage and inspire others? If not us, than who?

While I'm not advocating that we now waste time feeling guilty and intellectualizing this (guilt would be counter-productive!), I do hope we take personal responsibility for the lack of real change in our nation - and resolve to do something about it.

I hope we all get busy and stop leaving change up to the politicians and the political parties.

When we need to change the political processes, let's get after it. If there's misunderstanding and confusion about health care reform, let's clear it up.

If there's lack of motivation in our ranks, let's fix it. If there's apathy, let's light fires under people. Find people who can go to work for our causes. If our anointed leaders fail to do our bidding, let them know that they need to lead, follow or get out of our way. When those we depend upon to work with us are jaded, distracted or uninterested, move on.

Wherever we encounter ineffective leadership in our political parties or organizations, especially wherever it stymies real grassroots work, nudge those logjams aside, change out the leaders or let them ride out the wake we leave behind.

It's time we stop blaming others and start taking responsibility.

And, then, we need to make the necessary commitments to put everything we've got into working together to create and sustain truly powerful people's movements.

Movements that improve people's lives.

For a real change this time. At last.

"Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation." - Martin Luther King, Jr.