Obama's Address on Lincoln
Discussion of Obama's address on the 200th
anniversary of Lincoln's birth.
Find Obama's speech here:
I read the speech and didn't hear it, but as I read it, I heard Obama's cadences and delivery in my head. I imagine it was moving and beautiful.
It's the message I wish to focus on, however. Here, Obama has taken an icon of American liberty and equality and linked the message of today -- the message of Obama's administration -- to the hopes and fears of Lincoln and Lincoln's lifetimes and, moreover, to the struggles of generations of Americans. What is beautiful is the call for working together and the emphasis -- rigthtly placed in my opinion -- on the idea that nations come together to do things that individuals do not.
Again, Obama rightly noted observance of what we call the principle of subsidiarity -- the government should not do for people what they can for themselves. SO often, our welfare system had removed choice from its beneficiaries -- beneficiaries who are part of our nation. It removes their freedom and, in so doing, removes their self-respect. I know because I've been there, waiting in line for foodstamps or to have my children receive health care.
Along with the principle of subsidarity -- which Republicans have come to emphasize too much and which our movies and culture have over-emphasized for two generations -- sits the principles of the common good and the foundation of any political state. Aristotle writes in The Politics that a people form a state to meet the needs of life AND to live well. Overemphasizing the principles of subsidiarity or individualism means that we let too many people simple live and not achieve well being -- happiness, fulfillment.
Obama's speech gives me hope after a week of failures and submissions to the Republican side -- the side of oligarchy -- that Obama understands what must happen and has a plan. For the good of this nation and for the good of my children, I hope that that meager hope is not blindsided by another politician just mouthing words he does not believe. I hope that we can come together and work for the common good of all. For, as Aristotle says, that state is best in which all can achieve happiness.
I read the speech and didn't hear it, but as I read it, I heard Obama's cadences and delivery in my head. I imagine it was moving and beautiful.
It's the message I wish to focus on, however. Here, Obama has taken an icon of American liberty and equality and linked the message of today -- the message of Obama's administration -- to the hopes and fears of Lincoln and Lincoln's lifetimes and, moreover, to the struggles of generations of Americans. What is beautiful is the call for working together and the emphasis -- rigthtly placed in my opinion -- on the idea that nations come together to do things that individuals do not.
Again, Obama rightly noted observance of what we call the principle of subsidiarity -- the government should not do for people what they can for themselves. SO often, our welfare system had removed choice from its beneficiaries -- beneficiaries who are part of our nation. It removes their freedom and, in so doing, removes their self-respect. I know because I've been there, waiting in line for foodstamps or to have my children receive health care.
Along with the principle of subsidarity -- which Republicans have come to emphasize too much and which our movies and culture have over-emphasized for two generations -- sits the principles of the common good and the foundation of any political state. Aristotle writes in The Politics that a people form a state to meet the needs of life AND to live well. Overemphasizing the principles of subsidiarity or individualism means that we let too many people simple live and not achieve well being -- happiness, fulfillment.
Obama's speech gives me hope after a week of failures and submissions to the Republican side -- the side of oligarchy -- that Obama understands what must happen and has a plan. For the good of this nation and for the good of my children, I hope that that meager hope is not blindsided by another politician just mouthing words he does not believe. I hope that we can come together and work for the common good of all. For, as Aristotle says, that state is best in which all can achieve happiness.