The Inaugural Address

Come on. Who is not stirred by the sight of a young, eloquent, charming, first-non-white U.S. President giving his inaugural address.

Leaders around the world generally have speechwriters inscribe for them. But in this case I would like to believe he wrote it himself. After all, he is the author of a best-selling book.

Reading the text, it’s poetic and inspiring. He has set the bar.

Some quotes:

“Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.”

“… each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.”

“… the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”

“Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.”

“As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.”

“We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers.”

“… America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.”

“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”

“… nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.”

“It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.”

“… a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.”

My analysis:

• He wants to further regulate the financial markets, but most economists agree on this, anyway. If he had said this even one year earlier, this would have been controversial.
• He wants to reduce America’s dependence upon oil, something the previous administration didn’t seem willing to contemplate. He also takes a stand and gives a nod to environmentalists.
• No more Gitmo, and an end to implicit endorsement of torture by the handing over of suspects to other countries?
• Back to being the world’s policeman? Will he confront China and Russia then?
• No direct reference to any attempt to broker peace in the Middle East.
• If he can inspire people to “cut their hours than see a friend lose their job”, then this will be a first: stave off unemployment via moral suasion.

21 January 2009 | Politics | Comments