Andrew - Speech Transcript
When our forefathers cut ties with the old world and declared themselves a free people, they intended that the gifts of liberty and promise of freedom procured by timeless acts of heroism and courage would be available to all their children, and their children’s children. This sacred trust, to fight against injustice wherever it may be, to protect the most vulnerable among us, to unbridle the indomitable human spirit and to uphold the inalienable rights of man, has been passed down through the generations, and now that responsibility falls to us. But, while the challenges that confront us may be great, I have surpassing faith that if we stand together and devote all our energies to the democratic process, our capacity to rise to those challenges is great, and our potential to improve society limitless. When the moral cancer of slavery threatened to break our bonds of brotherhood, we didn't rend asunder or say that human freedom is less important than our economic well-being or morality. We decided that our founders’ promise of freedom should be available to all Americans, no matter the race. When confronted with economic disaster in the thirties, we didn't forsake our rights as members of a democratic society and submit to the will of a dictator. We came together and took collective action to ensure that no American would go hungry. When President Kennedy issued the challenge of sending a man to the moon and back, we didn't say “that’s too high, that’s too far.” We used our unparalleled work ethic and unbounded ingenuity to slip the surly bonds of earth, and touch the face of god.
Americans have never been know to back down from a fight or shy away from a challenge. And I won’t lie to you, what we face cannot be ignored for much longer. Internationally, we’ve lost our status as the global beacon of democracy and leader of the free world; while at home, inequality poisons our self image of a fair and free society. But, where our parents failed, I believe that we have the potential to succeed. Like our forefathers, we must come together as a people and confront the issues of our time. We must ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed by subsidizing education at public colleges and introducing a progressive tax on estates. We must join every other developed nation in the world in guaranteeing universal healthcare as a right for all by allowing citizens to buy into medicare on the ACA’s insurance exchanges. We must regain the moral high ground when dealing with external threats to our democracy and not compromise our values in times of fear and anguish. We must stand up to Russian and Chinese aggression and not abandon our allies abroad. We must listen to the scientists when they say that climate change poses a legitimate threat to human civilization, and institute a cap and trade system to limit emissions. We must reform the way we hold our elections, and make the government responsive to the people, rather than donors and special interests. All this we can and must do.
But, like what was said in All the King’s Men, that “Politics is a matter of choices,” our policies will not benefit everyone equally. Energy barons may be hurt by our emissions standards; economic royalists may not like having to give their earnings to the state rather than their children upon death; health insurance companies may see their industry dissipate. But, all this will be for the public good. All this is required to maintain a free and functioning democracy, and is therefore just.
Now, some conservatives may say that the state cannot be trusted to uphold liberty; that anytime the power of the state is expanded, freedom is reduced. They’ll say that I'm a regular Orwell. But, freedom means the ability to rise to your proper station in life, no matter your gender, race, or the location of your birth. If government can solve these problems, then it can and should be used to promote the common good.
This will be my duty when I become president, but your duty will be suggesting policies we can implement in the future. No matter who you are or what you believe in, we will hear you out as long as you make your voice heard. According to Pew research, voter turnout in America is lower than most other developed countries. Our democracy is contingent on its citizens actually voting, so do your patriotic duty, and support my candidacy for president of these United States.