This post is obviously a few days delayed, but I thought last Tuesday's address by the president deserves comment. If you missed it, I will paste a link below to the NY Times full transcript of the speech--you should read it, ALL of it. First of all, BRAVO! I think it was one of his best speeches, appropriately outlining how politicians need to get their head out of their, ahem, hindsides... I loved that he did a throw back to the Kennedy era, a time of hope, a time when we accomplished great things as country by unifying. Ironically, that same day I was showing my godson a youtube video of a shuttle blasting off to the moon. This country did that--we put our resources where they would make the most difference, and obtained fantastic results. It required effort and sacrifice, but nothing good is every accomplished without those two things. And his point that the world has changed was extremely valid and important. Americans by definition are adaptable, hardy people, even if we sometime need a catalyst for change. The recession is our catalyst--life may not be what you want right now, it may be hard, it may be unpleasant. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE IT BETTER? For yourself AND your community?
Again, another Kennedy throw back: in order to "win tomorrow" what can you do for your country today? President Obama's speech carried this flavor throughout, and I think that is what a true leader does, motivates people to solve collective problems, not necessarily solve all problems for them. He had suggestions for solving problems, too, and they were intriguing. We will see what Congress does with them...I won't go through the entire speech, but I do urge you again to read it. I was going to further discuss the mention of health care reform, and (briefly) tort reform, but that is an entirely different post. Once again, thank you Mr. President for a good speech, and may it help motivate people to think collectively about what really matters.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/26/us/politics/26obama-text.html
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