My fellow citizens:; A" w j" f7 X. F0 F2 e
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the
) X/ K: t! w* R& R- qtrust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our/ g8 I* B0 J6 Y( b6 Z N
ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as
+ O1 m. r9 S$ K9 ^5 d Bwell as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this
$ G" o. U8 `% d" ~- E* e( q* ltransition.
4 }2 m) o5 g7 G6 j( s( o$ ^. P u% g. K' u
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The( O! W# {8 X+ v9 e. s2 e
words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still6 p+ a$ M2 p L, `& T
waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering
' W) a( h% }5 A$ i8 n& ]6 f5 ]7 g% Gclouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not
- l0 Y: G. i1 t! j" ~$ nsimply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but
/ w3 J6 D$ Z$ \" j# N' W* z# ^because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our6 c$ b4 k" W" L7 G2 e! a
forbearers, and true to our founding documents. 4 G: Q q6 o- @/ j# a3 P+ {* E( S+ o
7 i# E, F# M( f9 f' I: @, ]
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
, B9 ?6 l% _# X* \0 k3 ]3 g3 ^3 m* z' T9 o9 ]+ I, z. ~9 U& r- B
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our& Z1 X8 m6 o1 Z
nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and
9 |4 _* j9 _" J, Z/ K- Y! {' p% `hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and
: ?) E3 B$ g5 ?( N% Kirresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure
, m5 M& ?9 M4 Kto make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have& @% H& {7 L8 k; }: O
been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too
3 l! c2 a. e2 g" v% j5 {costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence
" D3 e% K: @! `6 ?7 Y/ lthat the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our9 v0 C1 C; K2 e1 O4 m
planet.
5 A; X9 W% [" B9 e5 ]1 e8 C. d2 [3 m
; D0 ]9 Y% I e" W& F6 I( u9 T These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and' r9 e8 S5 T+ h1 e; C1 D
statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of
, ^+ G3 W' p: S% |# bconfidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is5 V* T+ B6 l; M
inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
6 [6 J/ G. N9 A" }8 ^ S& B3 o
6 z9 T; a: r9 b Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are
! o8 A9 w4 y9 ?$ m$ O. D. hserious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short$ l1 B2 }9 T! C4 c4 t X3 f
span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. ) U. g5 I4 W2 @& ~; {, x
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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
( ]3 i& ?0 L b" e' ~and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for
! [3 F' h4 A% t3 efar too long have strangled our politics. 3 C3 g6 N$ C: V
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We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time9 x& g* G3 K ^7 |- E
has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm
4 Z# K% K# J& w! cour enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward: V) H. T. K' @( _0 W( u% B+ f
that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to
) A1 K) M7 r# _generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and2 u- v* ^; I a, w5 W
all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
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In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that' w3 i( R; x p+ @$ r$ A* w
greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never
8 D% Z% k3 j1 L- K& k1 ^been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path
0 q/ i+ s3 T G! cfor the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek
* Y# u* d+ g9 gonly the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the6 O4 u ?) r: X
risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more1 g0 x- ~* n9 \3 V2 r- T; M
often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the
6 o/ @- I0 _ R3 |long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
1 s. c- X9 \( q* Y) w" k
6 t$ V7 A! e/ { For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
/ s" {, _% w) [9 V& P: g3 F: F+ }) g: b) g( F* S! N; f
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. , e$ e* r! L2 W% D1 F! X7 A
' F8 @% a r9 P0 P2 d For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh. , _: d4 a5 g2 m" s" Z5 S9 b
; F: L c6 G8 d: y
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and
- D# H- j4 y( Rworked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.
2 Q+ W8 o, P% E2 {% c. @1 z$ ~They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions;. ~; x( o7 Q2 e% c: R9 O
greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
) O5 G, B& W* A2 ]% Y3 ]6 f% m& z1 a9 H/ @9 I8 e; e
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most
( s& C# b5 X; Qprosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less1 B0 }% m0 h1 l7 o; ]0 j1 D
productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less0 \% q( j4 S/ {5 p/ b
inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last$ s( Y1 W2 a ]# \( C( S: V
week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But7 ?) p8 k2 A! L% a, u9 t
our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting
) D' I4 \" ^( g' ]" ooff unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today,# ?' r; \' U! M! q; y
we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work
2 \- |& Q& F" q% [6 b- G* Z2 x( G; qof remaking America.
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$ J/ d, W5 O: t- S+ U) M For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the
7 V$ q; {/ v" y9 eeconomy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to, r; q: ?7 R; R/ B5 N* B
create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build
5 p+ u$ N) k) b% S4 W& ]/ B0 \the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed
# e6 f. R* G* X" H7 m' Iour commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its
; `9 _& l( Q5 Hrightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s
, ` U0 K' @" n- |* lquality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and
0 Z ~. V) `- X: qthe soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform( \: e. i/ J; P5 V( V- c% Q3 Z
our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new' N' L) {7 O: H7 {# Q+ n1 K
age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
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3 I$ g( L& c! O% s5 B9 P% q* v l Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who
2 k+ C3 v6 W9 G5 _: {0 H8 I+ ssuggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their8 C9 V/ n. \" e r6 G! p2 C
memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has
4 {! ?& U; n( x: _4 K* {already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is& n: W( x% d$ G4 f7 L9 y
joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. 7 n+ {3 b y- o! e4 E8 p
4 n# L8 s3 ?2 d# m. Y* N" ^ What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted
% d' U# O9 @1 k+ n4 B& n( cbeneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us
5 d7 X' {& f1 s5 n1 m0 nfor so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether/ p1 x% X% F, l6 f
our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether
! C! U# s' `+ l5 w% j2 hit helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a1 C) p4 ~" N) q; h
retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to
, O6 r. }% q3 B& c5 m; O. |move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of( E5 B/ o! P) Z; n
us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend. g5 Z- w- I) @+ Z& @
wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- [+ [" x- [8 v) l4 z
because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and, j8 s `$ o8 d* B6 `4 h
their government. + s( r N1 i" e
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Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for$ D( Y( B/ W8 e i* T& F: Z9 U! p8 }
good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is
! O4 X& W* h- h0 {0 h9 ~ ~4 \unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye,& b/ G+ x/ X: N8 t9 ]) m$ R
the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper
# ~' |+ Q k% C- Y: N8 P% I. ?long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has
/ a! o4 J$ o3 Calways depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but
) r& D) f' Z( C1 r' n% n) `/ jon the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to
( `' D; R0 t* r; ~# ^every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest
* U! i# I K& y# X5 _route to our common good. 5 B2 c1 q$ ~" W7 ^" v) ?5 G, z
1 l- |4 X2 ^9 \. J+ O
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between$ |: {% c2 a5 a8 q" j. ]. t( C6 n# f
our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we
/ H8 N+ a& [+ _0 Q+ @+ {can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and
9 T; a# X- C6 R& L$ @) _# K* g" ~the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations., k+ ~# d; t! A( I' m; K: `
Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for, C2 G9 {7 u8 o
expedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are8 r) ~* H: x9 m8 ~' P: n. d8 j4 B+ C
watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where {& i1 I( E" A0 s4 v& O6 N; H; R
my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and4 L! @; d9 K4 ?# i9 }
every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity,8 P$ z( F1 F8 X' q* I5 X
and that we are ready to lead once more.
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Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism not just with2 C# l9 X' k1 s' O1 U
missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.4 d: u8 O9 z4 ^0 O" I4 j
They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it
) a7 N! t: Z# m3 e- L% t& Y2 @7 |% ventitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows
6 K* _+ [3 C3 gthrough its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our
/ t3 ?1 a$ z& N6 [: o& V6 Kcause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility* t4 i+ \- ^+ b* h& H+ W' K
and restraint. " L! a0 v$ ], S$ a8 K5 E
. F, I: Z' H9 Z2 b$ i- n8 \- |) Z
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once$ |8 S$ J! m+ y: L$ ?. r& y$ n
more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -0 X* j. A5 K1 f8 @( g7 i e
even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will0 B4 d; V; u; s; d t' Y3 V S
begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned$ ], H2 ~% R& f! T5 {
peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work
9 {8 j2 Q* `! S# Ctirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a
4 B; c) O0 u) W4 C3 }warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we& h! S' o$ B. U: f
waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by
- q L+ a$ k9 u$ W- |) v6 Xinducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our
6 s$ E: Z8 |4 @- r( L1 j1 w( xspirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we
, t( o- [2 B, \( s( z L/ rwill defeat you.
$ z/ V$ I8 m' H8 G2 {6 H V) Z3 m7 N8 X" h. i$ x+ ~
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a9 v4 Y7 a: W+ I
weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -, i4 r: I* Z. _ R$ i
and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn# J8 N6 A+ B% Q& }$ k
from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter
; i; u+ q. A7 o9 y% I) xswill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter
+ u* @' R. o+ M# Ostronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old
5 x' f1 O; I- Hhatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon2 o) U5 P9 W) P9 \) a Q) W1 `
dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall7 x' L/ A+ l0 e8 e
reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new
}, Z, D6 c7 {era of peace. 9 {, [# v6 _4 S- S8 K( u/ d
! q1 u3 K" {# j2 ?& O$ G T3 G To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual
, R2 G u' P) R8 h& zinterest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek) S6 z8 T1 n9 K, n( \7 u6 D; g
to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that" T9 ?$ q% l) n5 O$ b4 @
your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.7 M6 F6 ~! k g; l" d2 Z+ \) _
To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the
9 y0 b8 a3 C8 }silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history;
6 z( e7 ]0 p$ T. r1 k; O5 p Z% kbut that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. ) b5 H) y/ a/ l% y# j' O5 k
3 ~1 {, `/ s6 g% `" P
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to2 ?9 ]* B7 Y- ^
make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved
, y/ z7 I- ~( C& K, s2 ^/ Z5 C3 Zbodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy
I$ x4 G- [6 N1 X8 L, vrelative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to
" X; g: I! q* Q4 Tsuffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources
) |. A. \0 S) y; T2 \without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change3 ^( E. H4 |- Q3 [" o: l* u
with it.
% Y9 O! J# r3 ~9 [: w: w, d. Z! r7 Z* e7 J' U
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with
+ k: h1 s) \( f, D7 c: M, `humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol* {9 R; N- t( D2 @
far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us
# K3 l$ _' L$ B9 G3 U4 S3 ptoday, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through
7 h6 s% |, @1 P: b4 {, zthe ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our1 i5 } H2 J" K0 ?' _
liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness
( z! T5 s5 y9 b7 V- j# D- Q8 r. Ito find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this4 i8 n& H9 t* l5 T
moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this1 p1 a# t6 y/ L% F+ d; f3 \
spirit that must inhabit us all. 1 a2 t9 ^2 S+ u3 G
6 I( K# w$ Z& [
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the
# Z" d" `% J8 s7 hfaith and determination of the American people upon which this nation# ?/ e5 \: S* c% n& p0 m: B
relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break,
0 e0 n, m" Z* d% D9 J/ hthe selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a1 X I$ j8 F5 z/ X; N9 T" V2 M, `
friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is5 {8 n5 n3 }+ c! T" W, ^1 U6 Q
the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but5 H0 s; I0 E/ W! F& g
also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides
5 I! n- y( e" \our fate. 9 _. ^2 N7 `8 I3 T
% J& h3 X$ r/ P
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them
& W9 P) H+ T" l* j; s8 Dmay be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work
0 C7 I. K- H5 @2 |and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty: H( E" X( P; O5 J
and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have7 X' W3 E# V; d9 y
been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is
! k- F. P, J% C ?demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now/ S6 r! ^! p6 Q0 D+ j8 J- z# j2 t2 @
is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every
3 P3 d6 j* v+ p& y1 n$ G2 T$ ^American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world,
( b- p7 W* B: E& Qduties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm
/ {% y9 a& P% Q9 @0 Qin the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so" `1 g: } L7 I& }5 E0 e( u3 f
defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. 7 h5 r' t3 }; {7 g; I8 Y9 B
) o% F* z; a! L& v7 [3 O
This is the price and the promise of citizenship. $ z3 X/ C: d5 `9 E$ M& J
P* I# N! A, O" ~1 }; Y) T: @
This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. * } X( H- U2 G4 G5 e
; ~: P( N' w6 a8 _, G) A
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and, C6 E/ C i3 M
women and children of every race and every faith can join in' A/ i5 k; F/ V5 w: G: G' K$ s
celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father
, R8 A5 A6 A) Lless than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local8 T# y0 f6 _" i. W: k
restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
3 A' Q- D7 }7 R* p d E" ~! R
$ p2 R6 r8 s0 ]( u: a So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how+ `' c9 V* x/ C, z3 T
far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of. k8 f1 d' V- M. J
months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the
( ]2 \9 F; S! z' Rshores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was# `* P7 J4 x9 x, N
advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the# j! Y# p; Y) F
outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation) S& H! s d' Y' T( g
ordered these words be read to the people:
7 p5 A* L1 Y. T0 P
4 p p' J+ A) ?% O1 R* V4 C "Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter,
, q8 J) X' u& v- R4 G# zwhen nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the X) H, g5 [8 x( i
country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
% [0 ^6 E* e0 U3 K' _
; S/ ~0 l9 A- u: p America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our* y( i3 ~+ c' ?4 g' k3 n
hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue,/ g% ~" [2 q7 H5 X* @* c6 S' |
let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may
& l2 k0 g8 o4 r0 W! b0 U4 gcome. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were
1 Q9 ~5 O( c0 ]# b+ T9 y0 ?tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back6 x; R/ f) |' e: [7 }4 o" h; j' S0 j7 a
nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace; _/ i$ _2 ~/ N, s5 g- S" C9 z0 }
upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it
+ j# [+ y T f3 c; U* L) O q2 gsafely to future generations.
9 E. ]2 D. v0 r+ ~$ v! K |