Obama Ipsum

But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, 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. And it's a lesson we need to remember today - as members of another Joshua generation. That is true genius of this nation. And yet Al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America's founding.

But there's a story I want to share that takes place before Moses passed the mantle of leadership on to Joshua. It's because John McCain doesn't get it. And as someone who watched my mother argue with insurance companies while she lay in bed dying of cancer, I will make certain those companies stop discriminating against those who are sick and need care the most. Change comes to Washington. Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future - and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. We will open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new Science Envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, and grow new crops.

Individual responsibility and mutual responsibility - that's the essence of America's promise. The Holy Bible tells us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Part of it's because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, who've been all too eager to exploit what divides us. But it also means binding our particular grievances - for better health care, and better schools, and better jobs - to the larger aspirations of all Americans - the white woman struggling to break the glass ceiling, the white man whose been laid off, the immigrant trying to feed his family. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush. We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country.

But race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. Their experience is the immigrant experience - as far as they're concerned, no one's handed them anything, they've built it from scratch. In the young people who voted for the first time, and in those who got involved again after a very long time. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals.

Thank you, and God bless America.