Today brings an inaugural address from the one-term Democratic president who Obama probably least wants to emulate. I mean, have you ever heard Barack Obama say anything close to these Jimmy Carter inaugural lines?
We have learned that “more” is not necessarily “better,” that even our great Nation has its recognized limits, and that we can neither answer all questions nor solve all problems. We cannot afford to do everything, nor can we afford to lack boldness as we meet the future. So, together, in a spirit of individual sacrifice for the common good, we must simply do our best.
No, you have not. Obama will challenge moms and dads to be better parents (“turn off the TV,” etc.) and he will point out ways in which America has fallen short of its ideals (or, in the case of Hurricane Katrina, utterly failed its citizens). But don’t expect to hear Obama tell the nation on Jan. 20 that there are limits to America’s inherent greatness and practical capabilities. It’s true, of course—and it may be even more true now than it was in 1977. But Obama’s a smart enough politician not to say so.
People who criticize politicians for habitually lying to the American People would do well to study how the American People reacted to this president who occasionally let slip with the truth.
Malaise forever! History’s greatest monster.
Does ““We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times … and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK.” count? I was amused when Republicans started rolling with that quote as evidence Obama was a communist who wanted to take away our LIBERTY!
Much as I love President Obama, I doubt he’ll change our parenting behavior that much.
Except to encourage kids to try harder.
You talk about Carter’s speaking the truth as though it were a stupid thing, and Obama not doing so is a smart thing.
Very odd…..
Thank you for posting these Eli, they offer a valuable perspective in these times of transition. Cheers.
Jimmy Carter was the most underappreciated president ever. Every time I hear something like this it makes me weep for realizing what a terrible indictment of our country it is that the country chose that charlatan Reagan over him.
Right, whereas Carter wanted to reduce our military commitments abroad, Obama simply wants to move them around a bit. The cost? $1 trillion a year for Iraq and Afghanistan alone, projected to be $1.8 trillion in less than 10 years if we don’t withdraw. But hey! With Obama, the sky’s the limit, right?
Man, can you believe evangelical Christians used to say things like THAT?