As a copywriter by trade, I string words together to sell folks stuff. Now I don’t mean to oversimplify the process, because there is an art to it, to be sure. But there’s also a clear goal: “Buy this thing over that one. Now!”

Unfortunately, modern politics has become little but marketing. Messages are filtered through focus groups before being plastered on step-and-repeat banners. Politicians and the press think the public can’t be bothered (or isn’t smart enough) to process anything longer than a soundbite.

Living in a time when language has been co-opted to mean so little, the electorate is rediscovering the awesome power that words can still have—to move, to inspire, to instill hope. Many of us finally feel something, while those who’ve banked on a different set of rules respond dismissively, derisively, sarcastically.

Yes, it’s politics, but why the disdain for such stirring strings of words? Having endured the stumble-and-bumble Bush years, I’m thankful that the truest, deepest part of ourselves remains intact, and that folks have been inspired to take action. So much good is still possible, and tomorrow can be markedly better than today if we join together.

Maybe it’s all just words, but words are what I live by, so I’ll take the dream.

Tomorrow, back to your regularly scheduled pop culture.