The most presidential lorem ipsum in history.
This year, in this election, we are called to reaffirm our values and our commitments, to hold them against a hard reality and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers, and the promise of future generations. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end. So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11.
They are both passed away now. But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side, I felt I heard God's spirit beckoning me. On the other end, we've heard my former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, use incendiary language to express views that have the potential not only to widen the racial divide, but views that denigrate both the greatness and the goodness of our nation; that rightly offend white and black alike. Ironically, this quintessentially American - and yes, conservative - notion of self-help found frequent expression in Reverend Wright's sermons. What we have already achieved gives us hope - the audacity to hope - for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. Not even close.
And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East. Now, many of these plans will cost money, which is why I've laid out how I'll pay for every dime - by closing corporate loopholes and tax havens that don't help America grow. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe.
This is not to say that race has not been an issue in the campaign. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own electoral ends. That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it.
But we do need to remind ourselves that so many of the disparities that exist in the African-American community today can be directly traced to inequalities passed on from an earlier generation that suffered under the brutal legacy of slavery and Jim Crow. And the lack of basic services in so many urban black neighborhoods - parks for kids to play in, police walking the beat, regular garbage pick-up and building code enforcement - all helped create a cycle of violence, blight and neglect that continue to haunt us. This has bred more fear and mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward.
Thank you, and God bless America.