A slogan can be very impactful because it encapsulates an entire philosophy. If it is sculpted correctly it will be embodied with a life of its own and perch on the lips of all who are open to it.
It's not by coincidence that the last two Presidents won their respective campaigns for the office with catchy and meaningful phrases. President Obama's slogan was 'change we need' and President Elect Trump's was 'make America great again'.
Why did these slogans resonate with people in such an acute fashion? Perhaps, because they instill hope in achieving idealistic aspirations. We all want to change and be great. It's in our spiritual DNA; as the pasuk states, Hashem create for me a pure heart. (Tehilim 51:12)
That's why we become so emotional and unreasonable when the topic of politics meanders into our conversations. Our outrage points to a deep-seated desire for things to be right. A person is recognizable by his anger. (Eruvin 65b)
Truth be told greatness is the path that Hashem has prepared for us. Every person is obligated to say, 'the Universe was created for me'. (Sanhedrin 37a) That is to say that even if every single person in the world would not be born except for us Creation would still be justified. (Ohr Hatzafon, Midas HaChesed #1) The first man is not unique in that the Universe was created for him. If we would be in his place the universe would be created for us just the same.
Therefore, a person is obligated to say, 'when will my actions be like Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov? (Tanah D'bei Aliahu Rabbah(chapter 25). The combination of these three great people is akin to the level of the first man. That is the kind of person we are supposed to be if we are to take full advantage of what the world has to offer.
We should never give up on our endeavors to improve. Chizkiyahu said, 'I have a tradition from my family. Even if a sharp sword is on a person's neck they shouldn't stop themselves from believing in mercy.' (Brachos 10a)
This responsibility of achievement is on us and no one else. Rebbi Elazar Ben Durdaya said, 'the matter depends only on me.' (Avodah Zara 17a)
My Rebbe, Rabbi Tzvi Berkowitz, taught us that Leah was supposed to be, at best, a picture of mediocrity. She was to marry the pernicious Esav and have a family. Being one of the Foremothers and a progenitor of Hashem's people wasn't a part of her destiny. She knew this. She was determined for it to be otherwise. She cried and davened to Hashem until her eyes swelled from hot painful tears. (Rashi, Bereishis 29:17)
By force of conviction she inserted herself into the process of building Klal Yisrael and illustriousness for perpetuity.
This shows us that the gates of tears are never closed. (Bava Metzia 59a) Nothing stands in the way of our will. (See Megilla 6b)
The utopia that we dream of is in our hands. Believe it, say it, and do it. And it will be.
