Sep 4, 2012

We, The People

Watching Michelle Obama's speech at the DNC:

Some days I don't feel it so much, but after that speech, watching all those tears of joy, it really made me proud of how far we've come. In spite of the racists, in spite of the small minded fools, and in spite of the many people who try to turn this country and our precious democracy into its anthesis-pure capitalism that worships at the altar of greed- we still move forward, we still make progress, as long as we get out ther and fight for what is right for the PEOPLE.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-election/full-text-first-lady-michelle-obama-s-speech-at-the-democratic-national-convention-20120904?page=1

(excerpts from her closing remarks)

"So today, when the challenges we face start to seem overwhelming – or even impossible – let us never forget that doing the impossible is the history of this nation…it's who we are as Americans…it's how this country was built.

And if our parents and grandparents could toil and struggle for us…if they could raise beams of steel to the sky, send a man to the moon, and connect the world with the touch of a button…then surely we can keep on sacrificing and building for our own kids and grandkids.

And if so many brave men and women could wear our country's uniform and sacrifice their lives for our most fundamental rights…then surely we can do our part as citizens of this great democracy to exercise those rights…surely, we can get to the polls and make our voices heard on Election Day.

If farmers and blacksmiths could win independence from an empire…if immigrants could leave behind everything they knew for a better life on our shores…if women could be dragged to jail for seeking the vote…if a generation could defeat a depression, and define greatness for all time…if a young preacher could lift us to the mountaintop with his righteous dream…and if proud Americans can be who they are and boldly stand at the altar with who they love…then surely, surely we can give everyone in this country a fair chance at that great American Dream.

Because in the end, more than anything else, that is the story of this country – the story of unwavering hope grounded in unyielding struggle."

...

"Because today, I know from experience that if I truly want to leave a better world for my daughters, and all our sons and daughters…if we want to give all our children a foundation for their dreams and opportunities worthy of their promise…if we want to give them that sense of limitless possibility – that belief that here in America, there is always something better out there if you're willing to work for it…then we must work like never before…and we must once again come together and stand together for the man we can trust to keep moving this great country forward…my husband, our President, President Barack Obama."