The Character of Our Country

President Obama shared the contents of a letter he received from Senator Ted Kennedy – penned weeks after he learned his cancer was terminal, and delivered to President Obama upon the Senator's passing. The letter expressed Kennedy's confidence and belief that health care reform would finally pass this year.

“What we face,” Senator Kennedy wrote “is above all a moral issue; at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.”

An excerpt from President Obama’s remarks:

“I’ve thought about that phrase quite a bit in recent days – the character of our country. One of the unique and wonderful things about America has always been our self-reliance, our rugged individualism, our fierce defense of freedom and our healthy skepticism of government. And figuring out the appropriate size and role of government has always been a source of rigorous and sometimes angry debate…

“That large-heartedness – that concern and regard for the plight of others – is not a partisan feeling. It is not a Republican or a Democratic feeling. It, too, is part of the American character. Our ability to stand in other people’s shoes. A recognition that we are all in this together; that when fortune turns against one of us, others are there to lend a helping hand. A belief that in this country, hard work and responsibility should be rewarded by some measure of security and fair play; and an acknowledgement that sometimes government has to step in to help deliver on that promise.

“This has always been the history of our progress. In 1933, when over half of our seniors could not support themselves and millions had seen their savings wiped away, there were those who argued that Social Security would lead to socialism. But the men and women of Congress stood fast, and we are all the better for it. In 1965, when some argued that Medicare represented a government takeover of health care, members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, did not back down. They joined together so that all of us could enter our golden years with some basic peace of mind.

“You see, our predecessors understood that government could not, and should not, solve every problem. They understood that there are instances when the gains in security from government action are not worth the added constraints on our freedom. But they also understood that the danger of too much government is matched by the perils of too little; that without the leavening hand of wise policy, markets can crash, monopolies can stifle competition, and the vulnerable can be exploited. And they knew that when any government measure, no matter how carefully crafted or beneficial, is subject to scorn; when any efforts to help people in need are attacked as un-American; when facts and reason are thrown overboard and only timidity passes for wisdom, and we can no longer even engage in a civil conversation with each other over the things that truly matter – that at that point we don’t merely lose our capacity to solve big challenges. We lose something essential about ourselves.

“What was true then remains true today. I understand how difficult this health care debate has been. I know that many in this country are deeply skeptical that government is looking out for them. I understand that the politically safe move would be to kick the can further down the road – to defer reform one more year, or one more election, or one more term.

“But that’s not what the moment calls for. That’s not what we came here to do. We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it. I still believe we can act even when it’s hard. I still believe we can replace acrimony with civility, and gridlock with progress. I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history’s test.

“Because that is who we are. That is our calling. That is our character. Thank you, God Bless You, and may God Bless the United States of America."

Comments (2) «

Clearly, the President thinks better of those who think they are his betters....

House Majority Whip James Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat, said the remark was the latest in a long line of political attacks by Wilson.

“Joe Wilson took our state's reputation to a new low. I thought Mark Sanford had taken it as low as it could go, but this is beyond the pale," Clyburn said.

"Joe is very confrontational," he added. "He held his first town hall meeting three blocks from my house at my kid's high school. Now why would he have this town hall meeting in my congressional district, three blocks from my house in my kid's high school? It's not in his district.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090910/pl_politico/26970

Apparently racism is more important to the Republican Party that the plight of the middle class. They may represent only about 27% of the country but they are making the United States look bad to the whole world. It's pretty easy to see where the torture at Abu Graibe came from.

The character of this nation can rise above this. I suggest our Congressional Dems write as strong of health care bill as they can to demonstrate which party is still in control of their emotions...and their common sense.

All our people deserve some dignity when they are sick or battling grave illnesses, the providers some respect for their own medical opinions, and the economy a break from this spiral of skyrocketing inefficiencies and profit taking. There is a reason we have fallen to #2 in the world.

You don't have to look any further than the current boorish behavior by a bunch of sore losers who apparently think they are still fighting the Civil War.

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SandyH on September 10, 2009 at 09:12 AM

1SandyH on September 10, 2009 at 09:12 AM

Well stated Sandy! Something must be done to put a stop to it - the lies and disrespect of The People's House.

Obama's speech, on the other hand was very informative, spoken with truth and feeling, taking so much into consideration...it was excellent!

Go Dems Go!

2

MarieDNC on September 10, 2009 at 05:43 PM

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