The most presidential lorem ipsum in history.
It's not enough, but it's helping. These people are a part of me. It's that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country - a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old - is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. I am grateful to finish this journey with one of the finest statesmen of our time, a man at ease with everyone from world leaders to the conductors on the Amtrak train he still takes home every night. And you know what - it's worked before. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures.
A belief that we're all connected as one people. 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. That's why I've been fighting to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and the minimum wage. I get it.
The press has scoured every exit poll for the latest evidence of racial polarization, not just in terms of white and black, but black and brown as well. Passions fly on immigration, but I don't know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child or an employer undercuts American wages by hiring illegal workers. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus.
And they want that choice. A belief that we're all connected as one people. It is where our union grows stronger. Tell that to the military families who shoulder their burdens silently as they watch their loved ones leave for their third or fourth or fifth tour of duty. Palestinians must abandon violence. I know there are many - Muslim and non-Muslim - who question whether we can forge this new beginning.
But as Americans, we also know that this is a nation of laws, and we cannot have those laws broken when more than 2,000 people cross our borders illegally every day. And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is indeed a tumultuous history between us. I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures.
Thank you, and God bless America.