Affirm the Greatness of America

By Barack Obama, Senator, Illinois: Now President Elect
Let us affirm the greatness of our Nation - not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

That is the true genius of America, a faith - a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles; that we can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm; that we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door; that we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe; that we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted - at least most of the time.

We can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. E pluribus unum: "Out of many, one."

Senator Barack Obama