Of the people, for the people and by the people; a simple phrase that sums up the core of this nation. Born out of sacrifice and desire, the United States has long stood as an emblem of prosperity; a bulwark against tyranny and the candle of liberty that so many have clung to in desperate times. And rightfully so! Whenever called upon, the United States has answered with an unwavering commitment to serve. It is our strength. It is our privilege. To be of service to others is the highest of ideals. Such is the example we’ve shown to the world. From floods to earthquakes, America and Utah in particular always answers the call for help. We recognize the privilege even if we wrestle with its price. If there is anything that nears the ideal of American exceptionalism it is this: our deep compassion towards those in need by everyday Americans who, when called upon set differences aside for the common good.
Exceptionalism is not the insolence that comes from sound bite politics seeking to blame the nation’s problems on the middle class which is largely ignored by a for profit winner take all political system. A system that seeks to blame the corrosive political atmosphere on those marginalized out of the process by the toxic influence of money in Washington. It is here where trickle down economics apply. Money trickles from the lobbyist to the politician, and then to… who knows. We cannot assume that all politicians run for their own enrichment, but it is certain the money in politics causes a palpable distrust of the system. Furthering the doubt is a federal government out of touch. Politicians run to their base, feeding them the desired sound bites without ever showing leadership, ostensibly creating ideological camps void of conversation, consensus and cooperation.
Democracy is not based upon expediency; it is based upon the dreams, desires and expectations of everyday Americans who, understanding that success comes with sacrifice also know that success should be never denied by a political system that shatters the common good as collateral damage in a run amuck ideological war.
Robert Kennedy wrote in The Pursuit of Justice, that: “The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use of how to get men of power to live for the public rather than off the public.”
Quoting Abraham Lincoln in his first inaugural address, at the end he says: “We are not enemies but friends. We must not be enemies. Tho passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds…when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
We are a better nation when we work together.
Click on the link to see my free speech on voteutah.org
http://www.voteutah.org/candidates/us-house-2/charles-e-kimball
http://www.upr.org/post/2nd-congressional-debate-access-utah-thursday#.UIn0eMERjQk.facebook
http://kcpw.org/files/2012/05/052512PUCCHARLESKIMBALL.mp3
After the initial jitters, all went fairly well.
Listen and comment
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55175925-78/andrade-candidates-congressional-constitution.html.csp
