But those ideals have also been tested — here in Europe and around the world. Those ideals have often been threatened by an older, more traditional view of power. This alternative vision argues that ordinary men and women are too small-minded to govern their own affairs, that order and progress can only come when individuals surrender their rights to an all-powerful sovereign. Often, this alternative vision roots itself in the notion that by virtue of race or faith or ethnicity, some are inherently superior to others, and that individual identity must be defined by “us” versus “them,” or that national greatness must flow not by what a people stand for, but by what they are against.
And it was here in Europe, through centuries of struggle — through war and Enlightenment, repression and revolution — that a particular set of ideals began to emerge: The belief that through conscience and free will, each of us has the right to live as we choose. The belief that power is derived from the consent of the governed, and that laws and institutions should be established to protect that understanding.
The above quote is a good precis of classical liberalism. Obama is claiming to be on the side of the enlightenment by contrasting it favorably with the confused mix-up of feudalism and identity politics based on race or religion you have quoted above. Judging by his actions rather than by his words, he is lying his ass off.
He would talk to the rust belt back in 2008 by starting with a cover and arguing that they've been hit hard by changes in the economy then offers no solution and slowly twists the argument to a misplaced blame on illegal immigrants.
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MrShekelstein ago
relevant paragraph.
obama never mentions which side hes on.
Anam ago
The above quote is a good precis of classical liberalism. Obama is claiming to be on the side of the enlightenment by contrasting it favorably with the confused mix-up of feudalism and identity politics based on race or religion you have quoted above. Judging by his actions rather than by his words, he is lying his ass off.
MrShekelstein ago
Hes done this before.
He would talk to the rust belt back in 2008 by starting with a cover and arguing that they've been hit hard by changes in the economy then offers no solution and slowly twists the argument to a misplaced blame on illegal immigrants.
Anam ago
Obama speaks with forked tongue. That's why he needs two teleprompters.
Le_Squish ago
Convenient omission.
Oh_Well_ian ago
excellent... we normally hate each other and at least you have the integrity to be honest about his words
upvoated