I love politics and I always love presidential inaugurations. I love this country and it is so amazing to see a peaceful transfer of power after a nation has exercised their right to vote. We are so lucky to live here in the United States!
I have watched each inauguration with wonder and awe and gratitude, but today there was also a deep sense of pride in how far we have come as a nation and a great hope in what the future can hold for us. I love that we elected an African-American president.
A few of the things that he said that I liked were:
"We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, 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. "
"For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. 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."
"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - 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."
"This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. "
There are also several things that I like about this incoming President. One of them is his call for each of us to find a way to serve. I love that he sees that this can change a nation and that we can all do our part to make a difference--it it up to each of us, not just our government, to change the circumstances around us. I also love that he is trying to get communities to organize themselves and providing venues, such as websites, for people to share their service ideas and experiences with each other.
I love his wife! I love thier relationship with each other and with their children. I love that this incredibally smart and capable woman has said that her first priority is her children and family. What a great example to each of us!
I think that no matter what your personal political feelings are, todays events were moving and that this is a great chance for us to unify and see where our nation can go!
Horray for the USA!!!!!
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