The most presidential lorem ipsum in history.
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. I'm hearing from progressives who understand that if we want to communicate our hopes and values to Americans, we can't abandon the field of religious discourse. The truth is, on issue after issue that would make a difference in your lives - on health care and education and the economy - Senator McCain has been anything but independent. But I also know that human progress cannot be denied.
He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. They saw that I knew the Scriptures and that many of the values I held and that propelled me in my work were values they shared. It is not enough to give health care to the sick, or jobs to the jobless, or education to our children. Yes, we must provide more ladders to success for young men who fall into lives of crime and despair. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support.
It was because of these newfound understandings that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity one day and affirm my Christian faith. For some, nagging questions remain. He strengthened my faith, officiated my wedding, and baptized my children. On November 4th, we must stand up and say: "Eight is enough." But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek - a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God's children are respected.
We are more compassionate than a government that lets veterans sleep on our streets and families slide into poverty; that sits on its hands while a major American city drowns before our eyes. We are the party of Kennedy. And it is that promise that forty five years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln's Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores - that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average. This is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work.
My mother, whose parents were non-practicing Baptists and Methodists, was one of the most spiritual souls I ever knew. 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. America, we are better than these last eight years. These are the Americans that I know. I get it. Now, that must be our work here on Earth.
God bless you.