My fellow citizens:4 T" l1 U+ ~( c3 ]
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the
" n& i/ w+ w3 l" t2 t: Etrust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our+ v. H' L. @0 _. O' z
ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as: y0 K. `. v( K5 h$ P4 I! D
well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this
7 b1 j& ^& c. m# k- Ktransition.
5 k& v" d) V0 N. m, u6 l0 }9 B8 M- M9 ?; O6 U4 a
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The9 K# s; p9 x% t( f
words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still
+ B+ E( b* B6 T& R0 _: `waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering7 ^" }5 a3 S) p1 ~
clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not
N, u Q( l3 Y& f5 ?7 ]3 z! H# c- Zsimply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but
& L) u. B4 S( Hbecause We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our
. k8 A9 b4 k* {forbearers, and true to our founding documents. 0 q2 A% r% E/ p5 s+ j9 r
( N) `. \- ?- R So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
& j( h& l& A' \# C- j1 ]0 O4 ~% |; y; _8 D- G, ^- k, C+ o3 c: ]
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our
6 Q7 Q) x+ k2 B. Znation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and
1 D3 u- v4 g* o5 I4 h- X" Y2 N2 o! V, W2 V& ohatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and
$ L/ E4 A }& ~+ o. i8 }irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure
2 I, f5 Q4 t* p2 } qto make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have K6 x; P2 I( V* h8 ?% [( O% B
been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too: \3 a7 b3 f# N( ~, m% _ ^8 f2 l
costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence
S. t5 C0 ^0 b$ m, [: ethat the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our2 F) ?! V( P) u5 K. K
planet. 4 I/ q( S, ]1 ^/ H
' m- n; P2 n4 `+ M% {) \ These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and
- E7 L l* e) }) astatistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of
7 }/ V9 A* z" g8 v. e. K4 I3 pconfidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is0 Y/ ~7 f3 n+ E3 f
inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
9 l4 L9 Q% k0 b! o( |# \! W4 o5 _9 h
- p m; H) r& K0 g A) K) c Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are9 H. n: x# r- r* X& w: \
serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short& R( G M$ N: T4 A
span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. . A* ~& x$ e& h" }
) y' D: q6 e6 j" j On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
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On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances
) ~1 }7 E1 s; Qand false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for9 w$ P ?1 O4 v: R! O6 r1 Z
far too long have strangled our politics.
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We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time2 O# b5 r9 z; |( @( o8 r
has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm
# {2 z8 \; p8 a/ I/ E8 g4 S" {our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward
7 M( q: o! m9 L8 h' R* S( dthat precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to( k& a# ~& `1 ^4 G% K; K
generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and
( ~. i0 n, M c R0 o5 h- i2 yall deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
9 x) W4 {0 c2 n% ?3 O2 }) S4 t. E) y
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that
5 Q+ b/ z7 ]6 Q; t4 Z+ Dgreatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never& S8 O7 P* h! O
been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path
4 z, O" j" D: zfor the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek
- ^+ e' D4 R* Y, N9 sonly the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the
* n/ g: W$ @) `! p0 Lrisk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more
$ Q% R }+ d9 s/ e% Voften men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the
7 E! g$ `- k1 klong, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
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' Z9 U" C; E" d! w, ?- p" s For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. % T2 h4 i& o9 S- S
% l, c2 v0 r; g) x4 v For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
5 ]' G5 v5 `( f. H
) ?2 w! r+ T" _5 H9 ^6 `& `3 v" S For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh. # U( O$ _1 q d
$ ~2 E7 E6 ^4 ^/ T& v Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and& E% e* b+ i+ I( ?- g# L) t
worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.5 x$ O- |& {+ n2 V. \' ]* P
They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions;
/ N- w6 r8 j/ y' _. E) F) c4 w Agreater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
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This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most
( {/ H& U; g$ S. nprosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less
% o( s* n. H' _8 ~3 J1 N5 v) A( h& y# pproductive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less
) U# {, \4 q- |) S5 P6 g( b+ oinventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last
# k. D5 T+ o3 Z6 ], y. Xweek or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But: v8 E9 s5 ~! b) R. o
our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting
* o" a! a- U% z, V8 \1 {/ aoff unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today,% T$ R4 r) ]$ C7 J! L+ \
we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work" O; k: U$ @$ q) k8 K
of remaking America. " X+ S9 M" A' W: k$ g
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For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the2 ], E" E2 P/ j4 a2 l: b* I r
economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to1 ?# y' r* g6 n4 i& P1 j) M. }
create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build3 h( n2 h) _% T" a" b
the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed
/ g7 c8 y% ]( f X" C- ~our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its
1 O. s: u7 e. V# z: Wrightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s
) @5 S& b! ]) R* Z* iquality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and
4 l4 a+ M) y+ J% ?3 U6 @the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform5 k- Y! A2 y/ Z4 A$ {0 j6 a& p
our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new6 V' F7 v2 ^" b& I0 j
age. All this we can do. And all this we will do. ' \5 m& I- A( K
7 P8 A4 [! o6 C+ k' n Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who4 i1 _4 V- l8 g! r( ?6 U
suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their
$ `! `9 d9 C: l8 r, M7 D& Amemories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has
0 T" W, i& j; Q+ F* P: salready done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is
2 o9 X. S6 F+ Tjoined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. ; ?% e4 F Q+ I1 F Z8 P
, R7 F( Y% \9 L& ?) Y
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted' W6 C/ A. Z# A3 D
beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us
) h y j4 D, c- |for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether3 `$ ]* v) }8 W* ~* f
our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether
. _+ X- R3 ~2 f8 N- Yit helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a5 R, x9 D Y$ u1 @# P$ v$ O' s
retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to
/ Q6 j X" k' o/ h# P% k9 {7 L; lmove forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of; M, c- G/ |- G' c
us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend( y% y6 y# Q# W6 [- e3 W" y' i0 }
wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -
. V) [; w% K# \& y% f1 @because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and6 ?1 l2 b# o+ B1 t
their government.
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Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for3 t. n3 _, Z# C
good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is3 O, |" N# p' ^/ S O
unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye,
; }" ?% u. h8 h* ^$ y! T3 x. @( athe market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper
/ T: ~& h, Y4 Plong when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has
! e Q; t+ D& |$ n/ E8 X* [always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but' Y: f) P7 z* O( r8 T9 [1 Z9 ]
on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to( o& S% Z4 H2 p' E
every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest
( D; Z6 S1 H7 N: b# kroute to our common good. 2 V/ l# c9 g2 N+ o- }8 F' A" i
& a; L: r3 P0 E$ g. P% m3 v As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between
7 Y& z' T9 u8 Dour safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we
# D2 z1 m2 i* h+ O- Bcan scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and! Z2 v2 a8 n- n6 v B; W# c
the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.
$ j: G2 J9 F S4 z) O2 c0 {4 l# _% pThose ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for
4 b4 c- m. m& f2 qexpedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are* ]/ E& O* m0 P4 T5 o3 ~
watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where
/ V( s, P9 ?# O7 i1 V! kmy father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and$ Z" b: O1 P% z) v1 J
every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity,
6 \. k2 t% u S# S& g# i- Sand that we are ready to lead once more.
4 m5 l# y2 w# V+ V5 U0 z5 B' T& j v* {2 x+ ^( @( j
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism not just with+ u: K& t! |; c( M. b
missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.
' B% I1 s- } r, |: u4 K8 NThey understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it
9 l! A- e2 R/ Kentitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows
|" \5 f4 Y+ t! bthrough its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our
" @6 X# q; s' K+ Ucause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility
5 c% ^8 L! R( v3 Q1 `and restraint.
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' P$ _$ @& y% s; a We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once& Y+ T2 I! Y ~0 a/ ^$ O3 T- ?
more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -+ {. g1 @3 t; x% R7 h
even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will
; j' u4 [* v- o1 {( o; ubegin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned
2 Z2 K: u/ {3 T9 ?; @/ z* ~ Bpeace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work
) S( D9 h. j* C& I4 V4 d$ X! Otirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a
' z/ ]8 Y* E, s( }6 e0 Mwarming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we
* A9 ]; G; H" ?* v: B5 n% W5 Ywaver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by
5 h3 H) R- j: M4 ainducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our
# y8 d1 J; g$ d' K; I. G! ]spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we, `; p, W$ A6 ]: k
will defeat you.
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( ^2 R9 }! L$ _) D" ~! u For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a- ~: {9 l8 ~+ ]1 Q# Z' S8 J
weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -
2 ?; ?& o: H0 {9 A+ X* I& z3 tand non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn9 o% H, z# p j" T* }, e! H
from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter4 T2 G4 \$ r8 p% n
swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter
' a: K( |' W n% Y Z D' ostronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old
* o$ Y: H/ a: d( T U8 }hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon7 q* p1 _- M0 ^9 O$ H1 Y
dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall. z- H6 n# t5 j N% H, H7 ]
reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new
4 y9 e3 q9 t2 m7 ]era of peace. ! G4 _8 [. @2 q* f, d/ D
/ t9 C! U; {( P- F7 ] Y To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual
5 }" F5 s9 b, S J* M- Jinterest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek
+ m5 G8 V; Z2 d# Q' w7 P0 b5 rto sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that
; J) _$ W' Q+ s) p9 U3 o& {your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy./ @' P" ?% ~0 z1 Y' m& e
To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the1 @) {; `: h# F& {
silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history;
- m% t+ |; }# M v+ Qbut that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
- P- m: x0 j0 @% s' M6 N! X( ]+ U: o. u: x3 Z& W; h* E- K6 C
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to1 s3 d( H' x. g( c
make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved: u& m* ~! B' o0 V4 Z
bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy
+ V U! S" ]8 O- Y: B: c' erelative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to8 o4 d& H" W6 }
suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources
G: h# t# L3 Y$ P$ g% xwithout regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change
% a9 a( C- A( i" cwith it.
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, \/ ^9 a7 g. e1 Q$ z7 w As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with
1 P+ S* h% R; Y% }: P) phumble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol2 I+ d y; _0 V4 a
far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us$ Y/ N# H [. _" r
today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through
! {6 i" P, {$ k G% k6 e% }the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our2 V4 Y" ^4 y* D" D X4 M
liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness" q8 k9 D4 X: u U0 }( \
to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this5 p( }; C, W$ Z6 i! m2 {2 p4 c8 g5 I2 h
moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this
" W9 F7 s+ T9 }0 O5 @spirit that must inhabit us all.
' D. a# w+ L( T, j0 g$ y
& w2 ~5 _5 G5 G1 n5 Y2 L( K For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the6 N3 X! v% V9 M( b
faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation) A0 ], X/ X, U, F+ O
relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break,9 f, X2 i; h' H9 E9 H
the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a# L5 Y, g8 l) A. J- o3 {
friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is! G9 T m( V) u' \- d) y% ]
the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but
4 `: a% [6 ]2 w& \; Jalso a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides
) A6 j2 o7 P3 J2 n7 ^3 Vour fate. % Z! D# o: D1 j
. K1 e4 @: {3 s' X
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them
4 N2 |7 c4 [$ w% `1 ]may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work T2 c* J6 j0 k% V* u
and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty
' v/ j/ P0 [. V, Eand patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have
- q- [4 c8 L# X& r7 S9 v; Dbeen the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is
. `5 P! S1 |" Mdemanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now
/ x. w8 e i( e" \! G% m5 ~is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every
, Z! u. X! n, H6 H5 E/ K LAmerican, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world,1 p( a* k I9 \7 t* x1 [
duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm
% a/ {/ X( f2 ?4 d, {in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so
" D; K* U/ t, _6 i/ Y; S( ^) Wdefining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
; E- M4 x. s# N4 s$ A* r3 ~# v# T2 N: L. [% l9 w9 r
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
$ k' Z" n8 W0 ?/ b! k0 s7 c- K! P. B* I$ E& z& X% I2 p
This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
5 a/ g" W) ]9 L
2 F& S" W$ W- b0 l0 M6 p' ~ This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and! e) `7 c) q- l3 J& P- {5 s
women and children of every race and every faith can join in
6 ?( z2 u: \' `5 T" I9 S" A& p# Qcelebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father
0 A& K( m8 |: qless than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local; s% d# c3 s5 Z( s7 ~; F
restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
- J- `5 D" H3 _
. z" }+ P, }5 }: H So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how
* }' o% N V* L8 Z \far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of
. i, G. b! L7 ^1 W0 O, C, tmonths, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the
' }3 {& l& k; Q! a* Gshores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was
0 C6 Z8 T7 [+ R4 @' t0 t% Madvancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the
, y" Z' ~2 Q* u6 Z% n2 G4 goutcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation
1 T5 S, G! ?9 ^ordered these words be read to the people: " d, R5 E, Q0 ]# b5 `0 V
1 p P- r W' ~5 s/ B+ K E
"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter," k4 r, h J' p) p4 q
when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the+ p2 `* X! e# b8 x8 J% S
country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]." ( S/ U4 F( s1 ~
% E* @6 ]+ S6 x1 r4 Y America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our
5 ?- d2 _& `( {hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue,
) ^# O8 r- p9 W" D5 g( J0 o5 Nlet us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may7 s% }2 L) U: g8 `+ c
come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were
) K* ~ m7 f. ?1 I9 L- c4 Jtested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back
" T x4 }" H) s5 q7 r* l7 c- unor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace
7 b8 _( S& R* C* d! w' R9 mupon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it; l- h! S4 k1 X- t
safely to future generations.
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