Thursday, July 28, 2016

Already Great

President Obama in Philadelphia:
Look, we Democrats have always had plenty of differences with the Republican Party, and there’s nothing wrong with that; it’s precisely this contest of ideas that pushes our country forward.

But what we heard in Cleveland last week wasn’t particularly Republican – and it sure wasn’t conservative. What we heard was a deeply pessimistic vision of a country where we turn against each other, and turn away from the rest of the world. There were no serious solutions to pressing problems – just the fanning of resentment, and blame, and anger, and hate.

And that is not the America I know.

The America I know is full of courage, and optimism, and ingenuity. The America I know is decent and generous. Sure, we have real anxieties – about paying the bills, protecting our kids, caring for a sick parent. We get frustrated with political gridlock, worry about racial divisions; are shocked and saddened by the madness of Orlando or Nice. There are pockets of America that never recovered from factory closures; men who took pride in hard work and providing for their families who now feel forgotten; parents who wonder whether their kids will have the same opportunities we had.

All that is real. We’re challenged to do better; to be better. But as I’ve traveled this country, through all fifty states; as I’ve rejoiced with you and mourned with you, what I’ve also seen, more than anything, is what is right with America. I see people working hard and starting businesses; people teaching kids and serving our country. I see engineers inventing stuff, and doctors coming up with new cures. I see a younger generation full of energy and new ideas, not constrained by what is, ready to seize what ought to be.

Most of all, I see Americans of every party, every background, every faith who believe that we are stronger together – black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American; young and old; gay, straight, men, women, folks with disabilities, all pledging allegiance, under the same proud flag, to this big, bold country that we love. . . .

America is already great. America is already strong. And I promise you, our strength, our greatness, does not depend on Donald Trump.

2 comments:

  1. A very consequential president for his ideas. One thing I admire about him is how aware he is of his presence and how he projects. His speeches are as effective for his presence as they are for their content.

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  2. "A very consequential president for his ideas."

    -Nope. Whatever ideas he had have been remarkably inconsequential. Donald Trump's ideas have been more consequential already.

    Ideologically consequential presidents included Jackson, FDR, Reagan, and Jefferson.

    "One thing I admire about him is how aware he is of his presence and how he projects. His speeches are as effective for his presence as they are for their content."

    -His speeches aren't bad as Hers or Michelle's. Sometimes, they're pretty good.

    I thought Booker's, Donald Trump Jr's, and Newt's speeches were very good. I was very disappointed with Her speech. I didn't watch Kaine or Obama's speeches due to the stupid song that came before Kaine's speech, but I can only presume Obama's speech must have been good. I didn't like Michelle's speech.

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