Posted by
Gayle Plato-Besley, M. Ed. on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:55:22 AM
"At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it?-- Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!--All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years.
At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher."
-The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions:
Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois
January 27, 1838
On first read of this quote from one this nation's greatest minds and leaders, one puts the words in context of our times. With that, one may mistake Lincoln's intent. This excerpt from an early speech, takes a snapshot of time, and discusses the incident of mob rule, lynchings, and the pending Civil War. Later on, Lincoln would talk of how a house divided will fall, and as often he did, Abraham Lincoln evoked the Biblical prophets while precisely building his case for Republicanism and preserved Union.
Abraham Lincoln did not want ideologies of states rights v. civil rights bringing down a Union so carefully constructed. He was a Constitutionalist, believing that the laws of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were timeless. Lincoln was about freedom for Mankind--all men, home and abroad, with hopes for a permeating truth of the Declaration of Independence he loved so.
If I could write a speech for John McCain, I'd lean on liberty and evoke President Lincoln in as the message should be of our vernacular, but to the point and tightly played. I truly see a state of consciousness, the maverick personna, slightly grating demeanor, stranger in a strange land presence in John McCain paralleling the ilk noted of Lincoln. The intrepid geekdom of the real Abraham Lincoln could not dull his words nor sully his conviction. I'd also say that brevity is the hardest part of a great speaker. Strive for less and give us more.
My Speech in Rough Form:
Friends, I'm honored in your presence here today with a great mission. I am asking for your vote as your Advocate. As Commander-in-Chief, I will take charge of defending liberty against all attacks foreign and domestic. Liberty seems like a flag blowing about carried in the wind, but all too often lately, it's become a doormat stomped upon and muddied. The message of Freedom is being misconstrued with feeling free. Free implies no cost, and that just isn't true.
My Friends of Liberty, please don't believe the fancy speech where government spending will solve your problems. When you realize that you work nearly half of the year just to pay taxes, you know that government is expensive and benefits are not free. It's also easy to blame private business and dress up fiscal expenditures as Robin Hood Redistribution. Take from the rich as they don't deserve it and give it all to the victim souls all waiting around for Robin to save the day. Friends, don't lie in wait to be saved by a false prophet.
I am not asking to be your President because I want or need to save you. You see, I do not feel you are a victim at all. Each one of you is a smart and caring individual striving to achieve, earn, and advance society. I do not feel the United States Government needs to take more of your hard earned income to then redistribute it all as I see fit. No one in Washington is smarter than you.
As President, I am your consumer advocate, shouting down the Congressional tax and spenders if needbe, to keep cutting spending and cutting new taxes. Gasoline surcharges for state and federal taxes are ridiculous and I will suspend this tax as soon as possible. Oil independence is an absolute necessity and without our freedom at the pump, all other desires are pointless . Stepped up research and development of alternative fuel is just talk when economic growth stands still or worse yet, slumps, shifting into a freefall slide.
As President I will tirelessly advocate for your security. Thie United States is the greatest nation on the planet; I have never doubted this in any trial or debate. I did not abandon her in Hanoi nor will I ever at any diplomatic table; I will not sell out American Foreign Policy because of a personal need to prove something. I don't have anything to prove to anyone. I am running to advocate for you because I choose to do so. I feel a sense of purpose. My commitment to my country has never waivered and no foreign potentate with delusions of grandeur will sway me, EVER.
Freedom is a philisophical point of view in many ways, but to Americans it is a palpable, tangible part of each one of us. Once you send your spouse or child off to war, once you see foreign attacks on our soil, and once you feel your dollars slip out of your hands, you know your freedom is a very costly part of who you are. I will ensure all of our soldiers fighting abroad are on task and purposefully helping democracy begin and flourish in Afganistan and the Middle East. I will defend our allies and support all diplomatic solutions within the framework we determine as the greatest nation. Israel is a central ally and I will never forget our Judeo-Christian roots spiritually and politically.
Finally, Abraham Lincoln could not fathom enemy attacks of the like we have seen on our soil. I see terrorism and Islamic Extremism as the Evil it is. I know and you know the difference between moderate, loving members of a faith and extremists who want us dead. Lincoln felt defense of liberty, of giving one's life if necessary was paramount. I am not confused as to the gravity of the situation we are in today, my friends. Freedom costs dearly and pays back tenfold. With absolute love and affection for this great land, I stand here ready to step up as the United States President, the Advocate of Liberty, in this our precious moment in time.
- Gayle Plato-Besley