Below is the full text of President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address.

Inaugural Address

My fellow citizens:  I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you’ve bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.

I thank President Bush for his service to our nation — (applause) — as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.  The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace.  Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms.  At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding documents.

So it has been; so it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood.  Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred.  Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.  Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered.  Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many — and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics.  Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our land; a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real.  They are serious and they are many.  They will not be met easily or in a short span of time.  But know this America:  They will be met.  (Applause.)

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.  On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.  We remain a young nation.  But in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.  The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation:  the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.  (Applause.)

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation we understand that greatness is never a given.  It must be earned.  Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less.  It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those that prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.  Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor — who have carried us up the long rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.  For us, they toiled in sweatshops, and settled the West, endured the lash of the whip, and plowed the hard earth.  For us, they fought and died in places like Concord and Gettysburg, Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.  They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions, greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today.  We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth.  Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began.  Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week, or last month, or last year.  Our capacity remains undiminished.  But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed.  Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.  (Applause.)

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.  The state of our economy calls for action, bold and swift.  And we will act, not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.  We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.  We’ll restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost.  We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.  And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.  All this we can do.  All this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans.  Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.  What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them, that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply.

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.  Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward.  Where the answer is no, programs will end.  And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day, because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill.  Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched.  But this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control.  The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.  The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity, on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.  (Applause.)

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.  Our Founding Fathers — (applause) — our Founding Fathers, faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man — a charter expanded by the blood of generations.  Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience sake.  (Applause.)

And so, to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born, know that America is a friend of each nation, and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity.  And we are ready to lead once more.  (Applause.)

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.  They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please.  Instead they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy.  Guided by these principles once more we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort, even greater cooperation and understanding between nations.  We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan.  With old friends and former foes, we’ll work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet.

We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense.  And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken — you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.  (Applause.)

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.  We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers.  We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.  To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.  (Applause.)

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.  (Applause.)

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.  And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect.  For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the role that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who at this very hour patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains.  They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.

We honor them not only because they are the guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service — a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.

And yet at this moment, a moment that will define a generation, it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.  For as much as government can do, and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.  It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours.  It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new.  The instruments with which we meet them may be new.  But those values upon which our success depends — honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old.  These things are true.  They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.

What is demanded, then, is a return to these truths.  What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept, but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.  This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.  This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall; and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served in a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.  (Applause.)

So let us mark this day with remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled.  In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river.  The capital was abandoned.  The enemy was advancing.  The snow was stained with blood.  At the moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words to be read to the people:

“Let it be told to the future world…that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive… that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].”

America:  In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words.  With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come.  Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

With election day less than a month away, I eagerly await the opportunity to vote for the Obama/Biden ticket.

Senator Obama is the leader we need at this time in our nation’s history.

A troubled national economy, a weakened global economy and changing world require the kind of insightful, thoughtful, deliberative leadership of Barack Obama.

Senator McCain does not have the temperment, strength or vision to lead the United States. His philosophy is dated, his approach is derisive and his vision is coarse.

I’m voting for Barack Obama and I hope you to do.

Onward to January 2009 and a new president for a new era.

Senator Biden is a fiery orator and he effectively argues how the RNC failed to address the issues affecting everyday people in America. I am fired up, ready to go and prepared to put my community organizing skills to work!

Visit http://www.barackobama.com/, sign up for My.BarackObama.com, and stand for change!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 12:00:01PM noon Eastern Standard Time, President Barack Obama will be our nation’s new face, our country’s new leader, and our history’s new visionary who will begin the arduous process of reorganizing our government, redefining our values, reshaping our nation, rebuilding our image around the world.

I look forward to that day, some 382 days from now. And the first step in our journey to that moment begins with tomorrow’s caucus in Iowa.

Go Obama!

I think our experiences as a youth matter a tremendous deal in shaping who we are, the values we hold and the beliefs we maintain about the nature of our fellow human. Growing up, I remember when Ramon’s (my older brother) friend was told he couldn’t cross the main street (4 lane main street instead of a 2 lane side street) because it was dangerous or something to that effect.

Robert, his name is, was my brother’s age, so I was confused as to why I, someone younger, could cross the street but he couldn’t. I suppose my parents didn’t realize I was regularly running across four lanes of asphalt at such as young age. (They probably still aren’t aware, but I will be sure to confess to them when I get home for Thanksgiving. )

At first, I wasn’t afraid of running across the street; I eagerly did it to follow my brother, but also to play Super Nintendo at Mason’s (another friend of my brother) house. But, for whatever reason, after I heard Robert’s mom tell him he couldn’t, I was hesitant. After enough coxing from my brother, I ran across the street anyway, always certain to follow the advice my parent’s to look both ways.

I was reminded of that experience when I read a day ago that Senator Barack Obama mentioned that his time in Indonesia as a child helped him develop a greater appreciation of cultures and understanding about how others may view the United States as invaluable experience to him as an individual and as President.

Following, Senator Hillary Clinton pointed out such experience as a youth does not matter because it ignores the complexity of things. I have a simple retort to her claim: sometimes somethings just are not that complicated nor do they need to be.

International relations may seem like something beyond the minds of some, but in reality, it is not. Like anything, how someone performs in any realm of human interaction, from the individual to the global level, depends on how they communicate with, how they relate to, how they appreciate, how they disagree with and how they judge character, heart and intentions of the other person. In other words, strong inter-personal communication skills and sound judgment are key to interacting with others.

Senator Obama’s childhood is rich and varied. He has crossed social, economic and political boundaries at a young age and interacted with a wide array of individuals, societies and cultures, whether those of Southeast Asia or Midwest America; this is the kind of experience our next President must have and only Senator Obama has it.

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Please note that the ONLY candidate who is “For America” is Senator Barack Obama. (Actually, Congressman Tancredo is “For a Secure America” but his website (http://teamtancredo.org/) is titled “Tancredo for President”).

Some would argue that the name of a campaign committee has absolutely no relevance to anything whatsoever.I strongly disagree.The name of a campaign committee reflects the candidate’s thinking, the candidate’s relationship with the people he or she is wants to represent and from where power derives.

On the notion of the candidates thinking, let’s consider what being “for” something means. To me, to be “for” something is to support a position, uphold an ideal and believe in a principle. Thus, to be “for President” means that one supports the position of President (the constitutional, statutory authority it affords), upholds the ideal of being President (the leader of the free nation and free world) and believes in the principles of the position of President on both a formal and informal level. However, to be “for America” is quite different. To be “for America” means that one supports a nation of diverse people, upholds the ideal of America of a being a beacon of freedom and hope throughout the world, and believes in the principles of America of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am of the strong opinion that I rather have someone who is “for America” rather than “for President” because the former is more concerned about the history and the people while the latter is more concerned with the position for its own sake.

Next, let’s consider how the name of the campaign committee provides insight into the candidate’s relationship with the people he or she wants to represent. “For President” means that a person’s relationship with the people is through an intermediary, the position of President, while “For America” means that a person’s relationship is directly with the people. This is a fundamental difference that should not be overlooked. The question we must ask ourselves is do we want someone who leads us as president because they are president or do we want someone who leads us as a person who happens to be president? A leader is not created because they serve in a particular position; a leader is created because they recognize the inherent power in others to enact fundamental change.We must elect someone who is “For America” not “For President” because the former has a deeper connection, relationship and understanding of the people while the latter is preoccupied with the gears and levers of the machinations of President.

In the final analysis, only one candidate is fundamentally concerned with and believes in the people of this nation and that is Barack Obama. Barack Obama is not for President; Barack Obama is for America and last time I checked, I live, work and love America, not the President.

Given the assertions above, the argument I intend to advance is that for the Democratic Party to have a viable, long-lasting future, some fundamental changes in the political, policy and philosophical structure of the party need to be made.

First, the selection of a presidential candidate is by and large the most defining component of the party because the candidate is considered the de facto leader of the party. The leader is granted the power to redefine the party’s platform, composition and organization at a macro level. Therefore, the question is which presidential candidate will be able to positively affect the party and the society as a whole? I believe the answer is Barack Obama.

Without a doubt, Senator Obama brings new energy, new ideas and a new generation into the political world. No other candidate can argue persuasively of such a stake. The current guard of the Democratic Party must recognize the need to replenish its ranks with new people. By selecting Senator Obama as the Democratic Party’s candidate for President, a massive wave of young and old, novice and seasoned political beings will come into the throws of influence. Over 350,000 people have given 500,000 contributions to Senator Obama’s campaign: this is more than any other candidate, Democrat or Republican. These numbers cannot be ignored nor denied their importance in highlighting the Senator’s ability to inspire people in ways that has not be experience since the 1960s.

Secondly, Senator Obama’s policy positions offer a new direction in many realms, but especially in foreign policy. Willingness to engage others of an unlike mind is a prerequisite to being president of the United States, plain and simple. To think that by ignoring the problems or the so-called problem people of the world is going to result in a solution is unexplainable and leads to the kinds of disasters that my generation and several generations after me will have to endure. In other words, communication is a powerful tool at the disposal of a leader and to think that we should not communicate directly, engage in a healthy discussion and ultimately establish a connection with another person who wields tremendous influence over their particular portion of the global community is the type of thinking that leads to wars, to death and to the breakdown in the exchange of information and knowledge.

Speaking in broad terms, this is the first time in our society were generation old truly meets generation new. In times past, the current generation was able to maintain its power because it would needlessly send the generation following it into conflict-ridden regions that would result in the loss of a significant portion of the generation following population. Fortunately, we will not repeat the error of the Vietnam in creating a lost generation. The Internet Generation is alive, it is well, and it is seeking what we all seek, a greater ability to affect positive change in society for the immediate, short and long-term.

I am of the opinion that for the Democratic Party to solidify its standing as a Party of the People and its long-term viability, it must ensure that the up and coming generation has a seat the table and the way to do that is to seat the next generation at the head of it.