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I'm not talking about blind optimism here - the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don't think about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it. Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future - and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs.
The hope of a millworker's son who dares to defy the odds. But I think they also sensed that a part of me remained removed and detached - that I was an observer in their midst. To Chairman Dean and my great friend Dick Durbin; and to all my fellow citizens of this great nation; And that is why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend upon.
Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don't want their tax money wasted, by a welfare agency or by the Pentagon. If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for their prescription drugs, and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandparent. Hope in the face of difficulty. Because we all have the capacity to do justice and show mercy; to treat others with dignity and respect; and to rise above what divides us and come together to meet those challenges we can't meet alone. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President John Adams wrote, "The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims." And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. We are taking concrete actions to change course.
They want a sense of purpose, a narrative arc to their lives. In South Carolina, where the Confederate Flag still flies, we built a powerful coalition of African Americans and white Americans. This too is part of America's promise - the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes subjugating one another to serve their own interests. All these things must be done in partnership. The Holy Bible tells us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
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. This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. On November 4th, we must stand up and say: "Eight is enough." Let me also address the issue of Iraq. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity - men and women - to reach their full potential.
Thank you.