The most presidential lorem ipsum in history.
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. 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.
That we can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm. I believe that as hard as it will be, the change we need is coming. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared. We seek no military bases there.
And so they need an assurance that somebody out there cares about them, is listening to them - that they are not just destined to travel down that long road toward nothingness. 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. And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American. At times, that anger is exploited by politicians, to gin up votes along racial lines, or to make up for a politician's own failings. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path.
That has been my experience at Trinity. But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America.
Our Party has chosen a man to lead us who embodies the best this country has to offer. He was nominally a Muslim since there were a number of Muslims in the village where he was born. 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. Even for those blacks who did make it, questions of race, and racism, continue to define their worldview in fundamental ways. It is that promise that has always set this country apart - that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well.
Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you.