Friday, January 13, 2012

The Strengthening of America

“You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.” (Abraham Lincoln)

I think, as Americans, we would do well by measuring the respective economic, foreign policy, health care, education, crime, energy, environment and traditional American values planks in the platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties (and their candidates for public office) by this standard articulated by perhaps the greatest of America’s public officials. Read the political parties’ platforms—I did. What comes closest to your standard for the perpetuation, affirmation and desired quality of life for all Americans?

1 comment:

TnD said...

They post this quote outside of every voting booth.