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The skeptical bent of my mind didn't suddenly vanish. Imagine Lincoln's Second Inaugural without its reference to "the judgments of the Lord." Or King's "I Have a Dream" speech without its reference to "all of God's children." Or President Kennedy's Inaugural without the words, "here on Earth, God's work must truly be our own." At each of these junctures, by summoning a higher truth and embracing a universal faith, our leaders inspired ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things. In the end, then, what is called for is nothing more, and nothing less, than what all the world's great religions demand - that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
Why else would he define middle-class as someone making under five million dollars a year? How else could he propose hundreds of billions in tax breaks for big corporations and oil companies but not one penny of tax relief to more than one hundred million Americans? How else could he offer a health care plan that would actually tax people's benefits, or an education plan that would do nothing to help families pay for college, or a plan that would privatize Social Security and gamble your retirement? Now is the time to help families with paid sick days and better family leave, because nobody in America should have to choose between keeping their jobs and caring for a sick child or ailing parent. As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." That is what I will try to do - to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments - provided they govern with respect for all their people.
And fellow Americans, Democrats, Republicans, Independents - I say to you tonight: we have more work to do. And if we can do that - if we can embrace a common destiny - then I believe we'll not just help bring about a more hopeful day in America, we'll not just be caring for our own souls, we'll be doing God's work here on Earth. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path. The people of the world can live together in peace.
That's why organizations are rising up across the country to reclaim the language of faith to bring about change. Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan Coalition.
They're telling me that their conversation about what it means to be Catholic continues. This belief comes from my unyielding faith in the decency and generosity of the American people. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles - principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings. And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank.
Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you.