The most presidential lorem ipsum in history.
John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded; so instead of offering tax breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he offers them to companies creating jobs here at home. And slowly, I came to realize that something was missing as well - that without an anchor for my beliefs, without a commitment to a particular community of faith, at some level I would always remain apart, and alone. It means continuing to insist on a full measure of justice in every aspect of American life. We are taking concrete actions to change course. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas.
Because one of the things that we have to change in our politics is the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other's character and patriotism. The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity. We will help Iraq train its Security Forces and develop its economy. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals. Threatening Israel with destruction - or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews - is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.
And it puts the lie to the notion that the separation of church and state in America means faith should have no role in public life. Universities and states, including Illinois, are taking part in a divestment campaign to pressure the Sudanese government to stop the killings. There is one story in particularly that I'd like to leave you with today - a story I told when I had the great honor of speaking on Dr. Kennedy called our "intellectual and moral strength." Yes, government must lead on energy independence, but each of us must do our part to make our homes and businesses more efficient.
I thought of the families I've met who were struggling to get by without a loved one's full income, or whose loved ones had returned with a limb missing or nerves shattered, but who still lacked long-term health benefits because they were Reservists. Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit - for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear.
More to do for the father that I met who was losing his job and choking back the tears, wondering how he would pay $4,500 a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits that he counted on. But we also know our conscience cannot rest so long as the war goes on in Iraq. There is a young, twenty-three year old white woman named Ashley Baia who organized for our campaign in Florence, South Carolina. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.