On These Present Events And Their Resolution

I believe that our sense of self worth — that is self esteem, self-respect – to be in the greatest part derived from our own sense of fulfillment of our responsibilities. Our sense of responsibility is one we both define for ourselves and limit ourselves by, and remains, from its day of discovery, a prized possession. What we esteem, what we respect thus becomes, however unconsciously, our measure of comparison between our life and the life we want, our person and the person we seek to be, our achievement and those goals yet unachieved.

This unconscious method of determining self worth is dependent upon how well we have fulfilled our self-acknowledged responsibilities. Be those responsibilities to ourselves or our family, our work or our God, the point of origin is always the same. Our most ingenious rationalizations never wholly satisfy, and will never truly allow us real peace. It is our responsibility to be responsible, and we know when we are not.

Our acceptance of responsibility – for these things, these aspects of our own character – remains our first principle toward valid self-esteem. Responsibility is the guide of the sane mind, ever changing and rarely consciously appraised, yet nonetheless unrelenting in its watchfulness and presence, offering preparation and propulsion for each new living context.

We are Americans. We benefit from a national consciousness. We have a national sense of self-esteem, a sense of our collective, moral worth. We share an American character, and we most certainly share a sense of America’s responsibility.

Today, everywhere we turn we have some commentary about are our great divisions. There we are reduced to single issues, we are limited to ideologies, and we are commonly color-coded for easy derision.

The United States a power today because of what we stand for. We stand for the freedom to worship who and how we choose. For freedom of the press. For participatory government. For the rule of law. We stand for the right of every man or woman to live, learn and lead in equal dignity. And we stand for liberty throughout the world.

Differences are not divisions. They are merely differences. Our differences of opinion regarding our current foreign policy are not an indication of some great national rift. Rather, they are a testament to our distinctly American character, to our compassion for others, and our collective sense of responsibility.

As the strongest nation, We have a responsibility to those who seek our protection. As a loyal nation, We have a responsibility to our allies, to work with them and do all we can to respect their opinions. As an honorable nation, We have a responsibility to the victims of tyranny to bring down a tyrant.

We remain today the United States of America – the greatest nation in the history of the world. We can work to fulfill our national responsibilities simply by recognizing our responsibility to our own American character – the same character that has so long united our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

May God Bless the United States of America.