My "Mock-Inuagural" from 04

This was a mock Inaugural address I wrote in the Spring of 04' It is the arguement I wanted Bush to make. thankfully he did.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Vice President, Reverend Clergy, fellow citizens: Today for the 55th time, we witness one of our nation’s greatest traditions; the firm reassertion that our Government’s authority is derived only from the consent of the people; and bound strictly to the rule of law. For the past 225 years, this affirmation and all that it entails, has been the foundation upon which American prosperity and power have been built. We are not free because we are powerful, we are powerful because we are free. And for over 2000 years, the Greek orations of Athenian democrats; the classical prose of Cicero in the Roman forum; the French outcry of “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite” and the defiant words of Winston Churchill; have proven without exception, that Freedom is a universal ideal, that stands the test of time. It is with great urgency and trepidation that I speak before you today.

The success of liberty, which my predecessors have so nobly championed; has never been so near at hand, and yet so endangered. For the past century, the United States, with the vital support of fellow Democracies across the globe, have beaten back the menace of Authoritarianism.

Our common resolve, our collective sacrifice, and the strength of our ideals relegated the armies of Fascism, Nazism, and Communism to a cold and bitter grave. Never again, will a state achieve the conventional power of Nazi Germany, or the Soviet Union. They cannot, because without freedom, the true power of humanity can never be harnessed. Yet a century of defeat has not vanquished the forces of tyranny, It has only made them more desperate. Operating from the shadows, with unmatched ruthlessness, and armed with weapons of apocalyptic power, those enemies challenge us today. To preserve our security, as well as our beliefs, we must defeat them.

For the United States, and for all free nations; there can be only one true goal, to spread Freedom and Liberty to every corner of the globe. As we speak, a brotherhood of free nations inherently bound-together, hold in their hands the power to finally abolish the menace of tyranny on this planet. As President Abraham Lincoln so eloquently stated almost 200 years ago, "Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it."

No longer will this nation fail to echo the cries of those who have no voice. My Fellow Citizens, our Freedom has endowed this nation with great privilege, prosperity, and power. But most importantly, it entrusts us with an obligation, a grand responsibility to employ our power in the spread of Democracy. Today our celebration of this gift and the responsibility it thrusts upon us; is renewed. Yet it is my deepest hope that today will mark an even greater change.
To my fellow colleagues in Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, let this morning mark the dawn of a new beginning. Let us dedicate ourselves not to the success of our party, but the success of our country. Lets us work to settle our common differences, by proclaiming our common bonds. Let us always remember our shared hopes for this nation, and let us never forget, that we are entrusted with a legacy too illustrious to poison with the venom of partisan strife. With that aspiration in mind, let us demand that our policies at home and abroad be held up to the most rigorous debate. I would encourage every American regardless of your standing or influence to hold high the importance of this country’s affairs.

Through your collective passion, will you control the quality of your government. And it is my fervent wish, that this dawn of renewal shine its’ light upon every hill and valley of this planet. To those states which rule by the consent of their people, we pledge our full and unconditional support. In the eternal struggle against tyranny, the growth and success of democratic nations has always been, and will always be in the best interest of this country.

To those allies who have struggled with us in the past, we renew our allegiance. And to those allies who would struggle with us in the future, we profess our deepest gratitude, as well as our lasting fidelity. The great pride we share in our common bond, is manifest through the righteousness of this struggle. Though we are all united by a noble cause, our responsibility as elected leaders beholdens us to the interests of our people. Where our interests diverge, we should speak frankly about our disagreement, content in the strength of our brotherhood, and ever-mindful of our mutual cause.

To those regimes that rule without the consent of their people, this dawn will be one of change. The light of this transition presents to you an opportunity; an opportunity to escape the bitter destiny that awaits all who ignore the rights of Man. Make a true commitment to those rights, and the rule of law, or history will curse upon you the same sad defeat that has been the fate of all despots before you. For those states sincerely willing to reform, the United States offers you her full support. I pledge today, to go any distance, accept any hardship, confront any challenge, carry any cross and sacrifice all but my honor, and commitment to Liberty in aiding your journey towards Democracy. In this dawn of opportunity we, the American people, extend our help, as well as our fellowship.

But for those regimes that continue to tyrannize their people and the world at-large, this dawn of opportunity will quickly turn to dusk. History dictates, that just as you have shrouded from your subjects the light of liberty, so too will the sun set on your rule. Governments that rule their own people by force, those tyrants that reject the inalienable rights of man, and those states that wish to blackmail the security of others no longer be considered by this administration to be the legal and sovereign equal of those that rule with the consent of their people. And those states that refuse to work towards this minimum standard of governance and behavior will cease to enjoy our recognition of their international rights. That is a decision for you to make. And though we will certainly do all in our power to encourage you choose wisely, the choice is yours and yours alone.

But the United States cannot expect those nations to rally around freedom unless we make clear our willingness to sacrifice with them. In every corner of every continent there exists an opportunity for us to join together in improving our world. Nowhere is this more visible then in Asia.

Our former adversary, the Soviet Union, now comprised of a federation of democratic governments, all floundering in a sea of poverty, and anchored by continuing corruption. It is vitally important to our national security, and even more so for theirs, that we not watch them drown.

In China, a nation of unparalleled potential, we are confronted with great hopes, and sobering truths. The Chinese leadership is making progress. Their help in dealing with rogue nations and their march towards a market economy do not go unnoticed. But we must make very clear, that our interest in promoting trade, is not exceeded by our interest in promoting freedom and human rights. Where we will continue to support the opening of free markets in China, so will we continue to press for the opening of their political process.

In Africa, promise and opportunity sit side by side with disease, war, and desperate poverty. Tribal conflicts continue to spread the flames of corruption, chaos, and civil war. This violence threatens our mission to promote freedom, and even more pressing and immediate, to preserve the human dignity of Man. We will work tirelessly with those nations to build an African Continent that lives in freedom, peace, and growing prosperity. Together we can strengthen Africa’s fragile state, by building an indigenous capability to provide care for the sick and wounded, by helping to secure porous borders, and by building up the law enforcement and intelligence infrastructure necessary to deny sanctuary for those enemies of peace and stability.

Today, however, our most serious challenge emanates from the Middle East. Our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, the continued state support for international terrorists, and the complete absence of freedom and opportunity for their people combine to make the success of Democracy in that region our most vital and important task. That the birth of Freedom in the Middle East will be constrained by cultural differences is understood. Yet history proves that a legacy of tyranny can be reformed. The bigotry of Nazi anti-Semitism failed to sabotage forever the creation of a stable democracy in Germany. We must also remember that until 1945, the Island of Japan had only been ruled by Emperors and Warlords. Their culture had never known of tolerance or pluralism. The Japanese then called Americans "Gaijin", or barbarians. Today Arabs call us "Infidel”, a word similar in more ways then one. But where the past and the present share many similarities they are greatly exceeded by their differences. The existence of free, moderate democracies in Germany and Japan are proof that we can succeed in the Middle East. Yet it is also proof of something far greater; that those liberal democratic values that so many have misnamed "Western" exist in the hearts of all Men. The Authoritarian values intertwined in Arab culture today are the same that promoted Nazism, and Japanese aggression. It was only our deep commitment to creating a free Democratic society, and our patience in awaiting the birth of that society which enabled us to overcome those cultural, and societal obstacles. But nevertheless, I hold sacred the belief that Freedom and Liberty are universal values. Radical Islam, widespread corruption, the absence of economic opportunity, and the prevalence and popularity of America as a scapegoat are all formidable opponents to that belief, and they may yet prevail.---I truly believe, however, that our ideas are better. And if we can exhibit the same commitment our forefathers did; those ideas will expose Radical Islam to be a lie so grand and a hypocrisy so monumental, that it ranks alongside Fascism, National Socialism, and Communism.

Yet our calls for Freedom, Liberty, and Equality abroad will not echo the vital importance and urgency of our mission; if we fail to acknowledge our shortcomings at home. I am a Republican, I am Southern, and I am White. Those three facts have led many of our fellow citizens to suggest that I am prejudiced in some way. Let me be very clear about this; I am not. Though I am proud of my families’ as well as my cultural heritage, I am an American first. As Americans we owe no special responsibility to our ethnic “brothers and sisters”; and as an American, I resent the distinction. We are all brothers and sisters; white and black; Christian and Atheist; Arab and Jew; Gay or Straight; Republican or Democrat. And though we may disagree on how to get there, we must all agree on where we want to go; A nation where your race, creed, class or gender neither assists or hinders the free exercise of your rights, and the pursuit of your goals. Yet this shared sense of unity and brotherhood will never set its’ roots firmly in our society until the politics of racial divisiveness are set down. Forty years ago Dr. Martin Luther King gave his life in that effort. Today he is a leader who is loved by many, and (with few exceptions) respected by all Americans. His message of peace, compassion, and most of all the “common fellowship of man” is as relevant today, as it was forty years ago. America will never become the place I believe we all want it to be, until we revive that message. So my fellow citizens, I will ask all of you now, let us pledge our best efforts to work towards that vision. Let us pledge our best efforts to convince all our “brothers and sisters”, that promoting equality is the job of all Americans. And finally, let us pledge our best efforts, to show the world, by this example; why our values are universal.

Bringing Democracy to the world will no-doubt be a long and difficult task. Our country may suffer further terrorist attacks, our government may spend trillions of dollars in this effort, our citizens may lose the lives of many more American soldiers, and finally despite our best efforts, our allies may abandon us. But so long as people prefer the rule of law to corruption, as long as people prefer liberty to tyranny, and as long people yearn in their hearts to be free; our efforts will be inspired by justice, and guided by the aid of something more shattering and powerful than any weapon, the Human Spirit.