Forward 2012
"We don't think the government can solve all of our problems, but we don't think that the government is the source of all of our problems; anymore than our welfare associations, or corporations, or immigrants, or gays, or any other group we're told to blame for our troubles."
Because we understand that this democracy is ours.
We, the People, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what's in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy of our founding ideals, and those who died in their defense.
As citizens, we understand that America is not about what can be done for us. It's about what can be done by us, together, through the hard and frustrating but necessary work of self-government.
So you see, the election four years ago wasn't about me. It was about you. My fellow citizens - you were the change.
You're the reason there's a little girl with a heart disorder in Phoenix who'll get the surgery she needs because an insurance company can't limit her coverage. You did that.
You're the reason a young man in Colorado who never thought he'd be able to afford his dream of earning a medical degree is about to get that chance. You made that possible.
You're the reason a young immigrant who grew up here and went to school here and pledged allegiance to our flag will no longer be deported from the only country she's ever called home; why selfless soldiers won't be kicked out of the military because of who they are or who they love; why thousands of families have finally been able to say to the loved ones who served us so bravely: "Welcome home."
If you turn away now - if you buy into the cynicism that the change we fought for isn't possible…well, change will not happen. If you give up on the idea that your voice can make a difference, then other voices will fill the void: lobbyists and special interests; the people with the $10 million checks who are trying to buy this election and those who are making it harder for you to vote; Washington politicians who want to decide who you can marry, or control health care choices that women should make for themselves.
Only you can make sure that doesn't happen. Only you have the power to move us forward.
I recognize that times have changed since I first spoke to this convention. The times have changed - and so have I.
I'm no longer just a candidate. I'm the President. I know what it means to send young Americans into battle, for I have held in my arms the mothers and fathers of those who didn't return. I've shared the pain of families who've lost their homes, and the frustration of workers who've lost their jobs. If the critics are right that I've made all my decisions based on polls, then I must not be very good at reading them. And while I'm proud of what we've achieved together, I'm far more mindful of my own failings, knowing exactly what Lincoln meant when he said, "I have been driven to my knees many times by the overwhelming conviction that I had no place else to go."
But as I stand here tonight, I have never been more hopeful about America. Not because I think I have all the answers. Not because I'm naïve about the magnitude of our challenges.
I'm hopeful because of you.
The young woman I met at a science fair who won national recognition for her biology research while living with her family at a homeless shelter - she gives me hope.
The auto worker who won the lottery after his plant almost closed, but kept coming to work every day, and bought flags for his whole town and one of the cars that he built to surprise his wife - he gives me hope.
The family business in Warroad, Minnesota that didn't lay off a single one of their four thousand employees during this recession, even when their competitors shut down dozens of plants, even when it meant the owners gave up some perks and pay - because they understood their biggest asset was the community and the workers who helped build that business - they give me hope.
.... America, I never said this journey would be easy, and I won't promise that now. Yes, our path is harder - but it leads to a better place. Yes our road is longer - but we travel it together. We don't turn back. We leave no one behind. We pull each other up. We draw strength from our victories, and we learn from our mistakes, but we keep our eyes fixed on that distant horizon, knowing that Providence is with us, and that we are surely blessed to be citizens of the greatest nation on Earth.
Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless these United States."
Choked up at several parts of the Democratic Convention speech. He hit a homerun w the military soldiers coming home, about gay rights and equality, and education for the common man. John Lennon would be proud. I was partially swayed by Romney's policies because it made economical sense, but after reading / watching / following the elections for quite a bit now, it made me realize economic progress is nothing without social progress. And that is the heart of the problem. Obama has more heart, and he genuinely feels more for the people (call me naive but I think it's beyond petty politics here), than Romney who just wants to turn America into a corporation. And there are so many policies he has on women and gay rights I do not agree with. Even on healthcare and education - much less on the environment. Whatever the case, I'm truly, truly happy for Obama's win. Their country is on a path to radical changes and we can only fervently hope our nation's leaders took a leaf from that book today - we need social change; the old system isn't working anymore. One step at a time maybe starting w repealing 377a? Haha like I said, still hoping.
And to those who have been commenting (coughs, hating) on the sudden spike or avalanche of tweet-support for the US elections, citing reasons like oh, I don't get why there are so many people interested in the elections, or lol at locals tweeting their support for Obama - do you not understand the enormity of the elections? Despite the proximity, do you not understand the implications behind the elected president's policies?
We are not imbeciles. We are well-informed and not the least bit apathetic about politics because we know what change means to us, and how we are empowered, in our gen to do something about it. Even if we're not directly related to the US 2012 elections, I think there's nothing wrong w us learning from it - it truly is a momentous event in history, and we're lucky to be a part of it. I'm actually really excited to see what follows up in the next 4 years - be it in the US or the local context, because now that we're all older (and of voting age) I truly hope for us to grow into a people that is as invested into the nation's social growth as it is our economic growth. I hope for the voters / potential runners to inspire and effect real change and policies to better the locals, and for us to not vote for petty arguments such as, the government hasn't done anything for me, why should I return the favour, or the most common reason not to vote the PAP - we need change, PAP too old, lky should die, lee family blah blah. I could go on about what I feel towards sg politics, but I got too caught up in this frenzy I forgot about the time.
0738 (brilliant, I missed the sunrise), finishing up the election highlights before a long weekend w the assignments. But hooray for the elections, and congrats President Obama!
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