My fellow citizens:
I stand here humbled by the task before us, for the trust you have bestowed, of the sacrifices borne by our . I thank President Bush for his to our nation, as well as generosity and cooperation he has shown this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now the presidential oath. The words have spoken during rising tides of prosperity the still waters of peace. Yet, so often the oath is taken gathering clouds and raging storms. At moments, America has carried on not because of the skill or vision those in high office, but because the People have remained faithful to ideals of our forbearers, and true our founding documents.
So it has . So it must be with this of Americans.
That we are in midst of crisis is now well . Our nation is at war, against far-reaching network of violence and hatred. economy is badly weakened, a consequence greed and irresponsibility on the part some, but also our collective failure make hard choices and prepare the for a new age.
Homes have lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our care is too costly; our schools too many; and each day brings evidence that the ways we use strengthen our adversaries and threaten our .
These are the indicators of crisis, to data and statistics. Less measurable no less profound is a sapping confidence across our land - a fear that America's decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower sights.
Today I say to you the challenges we face are real. are serious and they are many. will not be met easily or a short span of time.
But this, America - they will be .
On this day, we gather because have chosen hope over fear, unity purpose over conflict and discord.
On day, we come to proclaim an to the petty grievances and false , the recriminations and worn out dogmas, for far too long have strangled politics.
We remain a young nation, in the words of Scripture, the has come to set aside childish . The time has come to reaffirm enduring spirit; to choose our better ; to carry forward that precious gift, noble idea, passed on from generation generation: the God-given promise that all equal, all are free, and all a chance to pursue their full of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness our nation, we understand that greatness never a given. It must be . Our journey has never been one short-cuts or settling for less. It not been the path for the -hearted - for those who prefer leisure work, or seek only the pleasures riches and fame.
Rather, it has the risk-takers, the doers, the makers things - some celebrated but more men and women obscure in their , who have carried us up the , rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
us, they packed up their few possessions and travelled across oceans in of a new life.
For us, toiled in sweatshops and settled the ; endured the lash of the whip ploughed the hard earth.
For us, fought and died, in places like and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
and again these men and women and sacrificed and worked till their were raw so that we might a better life. They saw America bigger than the sum of our ambitions; greater than all the differences birth or wealth or faction.
This the journey we continue today. We the most prosperous, powerful nation on . Our workers are no less productive when this crisis began. Our minds no less inventive, our goods and no less needed than they were week or last month or last . Our capacity remains undiminished. But our of standing pat, of protecting narrow and putting off unpleasant decisions - time has surely passed.
Starting today, must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves , and begin again the work of America.
For everywhere we look, there work to be done. The state the economy calls for action, bold swift, and we will act - only to create new jobs, but lay a new foundation for growth. will build the roads and bridges, electric grids and digital lines that our commerce and bind us together.
will restore science to its rightful , and wield technology's wonders to raise care's quality and lower its cost. will harness the sun and the and the soil to fuel our and run our factories. And we transform our schools and colleges and to meet the demands of a age. All this we can do. all this we will do.
Now, are some who question the scale our ambitions - who suggest that system cannot tolerate too many big . Their memories are short. For they forgotten what this country has already ; what free men and women can when imagination is joined to common , and necessity to courage.
What the fail to understand is that the has shifted beneath them - that stale political arguments that have consumed for so long no longer apply. question we ask today is not our government is too big or small, but whether it works - it helps families find jobs at decent wage, care they can afford, retirement that is dignified.
‘They have what this country has already done; free men and women can achieve imagination is joined to common purpose, necessity to courage’
Where the answer yes, we intend to move forward. the answer is no, programs will . And those of us who manage public's dollars will be held to - to spend wisely, reform bad , and do our business in the of day - because only then we restore the vital trust between people and their government.
Nor is question before us whether the market a force for good or ill.
power to generate wealth and expand is unmatched, but this crisis has us that without a watchful eye, market can spin out of control - that a nation cannot prosper when it favours only the prosperous. success of our economy has always not just on the size of Gross Domestic Product, but on the of our prosperity; on our ability extend opportunity to every willing heart - out of charity, but because is the surest route to our good.
As for our common defence, reject as false the choice between safety and our ideals. Our Founding , faced with perils we can scarcely , drafted a charter to assure the of law and the rights of , a charter expanded by the blood generations. Those ideals still light the , and we will not give them for expedience's sake.
And so to other peoples and governments who are today, from the grandest capitals to small village where my father was : know that America is a friend each nation and every man, woman, child who seeks a future of and dignity, and that we are to lead once more.
Recall that generations faced down fascism and communism just with missiles and tanks, but sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.
They that our power alone cannot protect , nor does it entitle us to as we please. Instead, they knew our power grows through its prudent ; our security emanates from the justness our cause, the force of our , the tempering qualities of humility and .
We are the keepers of this . Guided by these principles once more, can meet those new threats that even greater effort - even greater and understanding between nations. We will to responsibly leave Iraq to its , and forge a hard-earned peace in .
With old friends and former foes, will work tirelessly to lessen the threat, and roll back the spectre a warming planet. We will not for our way of life, nor we waver in its defence, and those who seek to advance their by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, say to you now that our is stronger and cannot be broken; cannot outlast us, and we will you.
For we know that our heritage is a strength, not a . We are a nation of Christians Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and -believers.
We are shaped by every language culture, drawn from every end of Earth; and because we have tasted bitter swill of civil war and , and emerged from that dark chapter and more united, we cannot help believe that the old hatreds shall pass; that the lines of tribe soon dissolve; that as the world smaller, our common humanity shall reveal ; and that America must play its in ushering in a new era peace.
To the Muslim world, we a new way forward, based on interest and mutual respect. To those around the globe who seek to conflict, or blame their society's ills the West - know that your will judge you on what you build, not what you destroy. To who cling to power through corruption deceit and the silencing of dissent, that you are on the wrong of history; but that we will a hand if you are willing unclench your fist.
To the people poor nations, we pledge to work you to make your farms flourish let clean waters flow; to nourish bodies and feed hungry minds. And those nations like ours that enjoy plenty, we say we can no afford indifference to suffering outside our ; nor can we consume the world's without regard to effect. For the has changed, and we must change it.
As we consider the road unfolds before us, we remember with gratitude those brave Americans who, at very hour, patrol far-off deserts and mountains. They have something to tell today, just as the fallen heroes lie in Arlington whisper through the . We honour them not only because are guardians of our liberty, but they embody the spirit of service; willingness to find meaning in something than themselves. And yet, at this - a moment that will define generation - it is precisely this that must inhabit us all.
For much as government can do and do, it is ultimately the faith determination of the American people upon this nation relies. It is the to take in a stranger when levees break, the selflessness of workers would rather cut their hours than a friend lose their job which us through our darkest hours. It the firefighter's courage to storm a filled with smoke, but also a 's willingness to nurture a child, that decides our fate.
Our challenges may new. The instruments with which we them may be new. But those upon which our success depends - work and honesty, courage and fair , tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - things are old. These things true. They have been the quiet of progress throughout our history. What demanded then is a return to truths. What is required of us is a new era of responsibility - recognition, on the part of American, that we have duties to , our nation, and the world, duties we do not grudgingly accept but seize gladly, firm in the knowledge there is nothing so satisfying to spirit, so defining of our character, giving our all to a difficult .
This is the price and the of citizenship.
This is the source our confidence - the knowledge that calls on us to shape an destiny.
This is the meaning of liberty and our creed - why and women and children of every and every faith can join in across this magnificent mall, and why man whose father less than sixty ago might not have been served a local restaurant can now stand you to take a most sacred .
So let us mark this day remembrance, of who we are and far we have travelled. In the of America's birth, in the coldest months, a small band of patriots by dying campfires on the shores an icy river.
The capital was . The enemy was advancing. The snow stained with blood. At a moment the outcome of our revolution was in doubt, the father of our ordered these words be read to people:
"Let it be told to future world...that in the depth of , when nothing but hope and virtue survive...that the city and the country, at one common danger, came forth meet it."
America, in the face our common dangers, in this winter our hardship, let us remember these words. With hope and virtue, let brave once more the icy currents, endure what storms may come. Let be said by our children's children when we were tested we refused let this journey end, that we not turn back nor did we ; and with eyes fixed on the and God's grace upon us, we forth that great gift of freedom delivered it safely to future generations.
you. God bless you. And God the United States of America.