"An Eternal Revolution" - Orlando Patterson

Just finished reading a great article on NYTimes.com.

A snippet:

BARACK OBAMA’S victory marks the end of another magnificent chapter in America’s experience of democracy. But rather than being seen as a radical transition, it is best viewed as part of an ever-evolving process that began with the election of George Washington in 1789. To interpret it as a foundational change, ushering something new and unknown, is to diminish the past, to unduly singularize Mr. Obama’s achievement and to raise unrealistic expectations about his presidency.

It's a very thoughtful piece, looking at the full spectrum of historical trends that led to the election of Obama as president.