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President Barack Obama Weekly Address Indianapolis, Indiana February 7, 2015
Hi everybody. I’m talking with you today from Ivy Tech Community
College in Indianapolis, where I just held a town hall and heard from
everyday Americans about what we can do, together, to make their lives a
little better.
This week, we got news that confirms what we already know -- that our
businesses continue to create jobs for hardworking folks all across the
country. Last month, America’s businesses added another 267,000 jobs.
In 2014, our economy created more than 3.1 million jobs in all -- the
best year for job growth since the late 1990s. All told, over the past
59 months, the private sector has added 11.8 million new jobs—the
longest streak on record. And in the single most hopeful sign for middle
class families, wages are rising again.
America is poised for another good year – as long as Washington works
to keep this progress going. We have to choose -- will we accept an
economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well, or will we build
an economy where everyone who works hard can get ahead?
Because while we’ve come a long way, we’ve got more work to do to
make sure that our recovery reaches more Americans, not just those at
the top. That’s what middle-class economics is all about -- the idea
that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot, does
their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.
This week, I sent Congress a budget built on middle-class economics.
It helps families afford childcare, health care, college, paid leave at
work, homeownership, and saving for retirement, and it could put
thousands of dollars back into the pockets of a working family each
year. It helps more Americans learn new skills to earn higher wages,
including by making two years of community college free for responsible
students all across the country. It invests in the research and
infrastructure our businesses need to compete and create high-paying
jobs. And it pays for this with smart spending cuts and by fixing a tax
code that’s riddled with special-interest loopholes for folks who don’t
need them, allowing us to offer tax breaks to students and families who
do need them.
I believe this is where we need to go to give working families more
security in a time of constant economic change. And I’ll work with
anyone—Republican or Democrat—who wants to get to “yes” on these issues.
We won’t agree on everything, and that’s natural -- but we should stop
refighting old battles, and start working together to help you succeed
in the new economy.
That’s what you elected us to do -- not to turn everything into
another Washington food fight, but to have debates that are worthy of
this country, and to build an economy not just where everyone can share
in America’s success, but where everyone can contribute to America’s
success.
Giving all praise and
honor to God. It is wonderful to be back with you here. I want to
thank our co-chairs, Bob and Roger. These two don’t always agree in the
Senate, but in coming together and uniting us all in prayer, they
embody the spirit of our gathering today.
I also want to thank everybody who helped organize this breakfast.
It’s wonderful to see so many friends and faith leaders and
dignitaries. And Michelle and I are truly honored to be joining you
here today.
I want to offer a special welcome to a good friend, His Holiness the
Dalai Lama -- who is a powerful example of what it means to practice
compassion, who inspires us to speak up for the freedom and dignity of
all human beings. (Applause.) I’ve been pleased to welcome him to the
White House on many occasions, and we’re grateful that he’s able to join
us here today. (Applause.)
There aren’t that many occasions that bring His Holiness under the
same roof as NASCAR. (Laughter.) This may be the first. (Laughter.)
But God works in mysterious ways. (Laughter.) And so I want to thank
Darrell for that wonderful presentation. Darrell knows that when you’re
going 200 miles an hour, a little prayer cannot hurt. (Laughter.) I
suspect that more than once, Darrell has had the same thought as many of
us have in our own lives -- Jesus, take the wheel. (Laughter.)
Although I hope that you kept your hands on the wheel when you were
thinking that. (Laughter.)
He and I obviously share something in having married up. And we are
so grateful to Stevie for the incredible work that they’ve done together
to build a ministry where the fastest drivers can slow down a little
bit, and spend some time in prayer and reflection and thanks. And we
certainly want to wish Darrell a happy birthday. (Applause.) Happy
birthday.
I will note, though, Darrell, when you were reading that list of
things folks were saying about you, I was thinking, well, you're a
piker. I mean, that -- (laughter.)
I mean, if you really want a list,
come talk to me. (Laughter.) Because that ain’t nothing. (Laughter.)
That's the best they can do in NASCAR? (Laughter.)
Slowing down and pausing for fellowship and prayer -- that's what
this breakfast is about. I think it's fair to say Washington moves a
lot slower than NASCAR. Certainly my agenda does sometimes.
(Laughter.) But still, it’s easier to get caught up in the rush of our
lives, and in the political back-and-forth that can take over this
city. We get sidetracked with distractions, large and small. We can’t
go 10 minutes without checking our smartphones -- and for my staff,
that's every 10 seconds. And so for 63 years, this prayer tradition has
brought us together, giving us the opportunity to come together in
humility before the Almighty and to be reminded of what it is that we
share as children of God.
And certainly for me, this is always a chance to reflect on my own
faith journey. Many times as President, I’ve been reminded of a line of
prayer that Eleanor Roosevelt was fond of. She said, “Keep us at tasks
too hard for us that we may be driven to Thee for strength.” Keep us at
tasks too hard for us that we may be driven to Thee for strength. I’ve
wondered at times if maybe God was answering that prayer a little too
literally. But no matter the challenge, He has been there for all of
us. He’s certainly strengthened me “with the power through his Spirit,”
as I’ve sought His guidance not just in my own life but in the life of
our nation.
Now, over the last few months, we’ve seen a number of challenges --
certainly over the last six years. But part of what I want to touch on
today is the degree to which we've seen professions of faith used both
as an instrument of great good, but also twisted and misused in the name
of evil.
As we speak, around the world, we see faith inspiring people to lift
up one another -- to feed the hungry and care for the poor, and comfort
the afflicted and make peace where there is strife. We heard the good
work that Sister has done in Philadelphia, and the incredible work that
Dr. Brantly and his colleagues have done. We see faith driving us to do
right.
But we also see faith being twisted and distorted, used as a wedge --
or, worse, sometimes used as a weapon. From a school in Pakistan to
the streets of Paris, we have seen violence and terror perpetrated by
those who profess to stand up for faith, their faith, professed to stand
up for Islam, but, in fact, are betraying it. We see ISIL, a brutal,
vicious death cult that, in the name of religion, carries out
unspeakable acts of barbarism -- terrorizing religious minorities like
the Yezidis, subjecting women to rape as a weapon of war, and claiming
the mantle of religious authority for such actions.
We see sectarian war in Syria, the murder of Muslims and Christians
in Nigeria, religious war in the Central African Republic, a rising tide
of anti-Semitism and hate crimes in Europe, so often perpetrated in the
name of religion.
So how do we, as people of faith, reconcile these realities -- the
profound good, the strength, the tenacity, the compassion and love that
can flow from all of our faiths, operating alongside those who seek to
hijack religious for their own murderous ends?
Humanity has been grappling with these questions throughout human
history. And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to
some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition,
people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ. In our home
country, slavery and Jim Crow all too often was justified in the name of
Christ. Michelle and I returned from India -- an incredible, beautiful
country, full of magnificent diversity -- but a place where, in past
years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by
other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs
-- acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who
helped to liberate that nation.
So this is not unique to one group or one religion. There is a
tendency in us, a sinful tendency that can pervert and distort our
faith. In today’s world, when hate groups have their own Twitter
accounts and bigotry can fester in hidden places in cyberspace, it can
be even harder to counteract such intolerance. But God compels us to
try. And in this mission, I believe there are a few principles that can
guide us, particularly those of us who profess to believe.
And, first, we should start with some basic humility. I believe that
the starting point of faith is some doubt -- not being so full of
yourself and so confident that you are right and that God speaks only to
us, and doesn’t speak to others, that God only cares about us and
doesn’t care about others, that somehow we alone are in possession of
the truth.
Our job is not to ask that God respond to our notion of truth -- our
job is to be true to Him, His word, and His commandments. And we should
assume humbly that we’re confused and don’t always know what we’re
doing and we’re staggering and stumbling towards Him, and have some
humility in that process. And that means we have to speak up against
those who would misuse His name to justify oppression, or violence, or
hatred with that fierce certainty. No God condones terror. No
grievance justifies the taking of innocent lives, or the oppression of
those who are weaker or fewer in number.
And so, as people of faith, we are summoned to push back against
those who try to distort our religion -- any religion -- for their own
nihilistic ends. And here at home and around the world, we will
constantly reaffirm that fundamental freedom -- freedom of religion --
the right to practice our faith how we choose, to change our faith if we
choose, to practice no faith at all if we choose, and to do so free of
persecution and fear and discrimination.
There’s wisdom in our founders writing in those documents that help
found this nation the notion of freedom of religion, because they
understood the need for humility. They also understood the need to
uphold freedom of speech, that there was a connection between freedom of
speech and freedom of religion. For to infringe on one right under the
pretext of protecting another is a betrayal of both.
But part of humility is also recognizing in modern, complicated,
diverse societies, the functioning of these rights, the concern for the
protection of these rights calls for each of us to exercise civility and
restraint and judgment. And if, in fact, we defend the legal right of a
person to insult another’s religion, we’re equally obligated to use our
free speech to condemn such insults -- (applause) -- and stand
shoulder-to-shoulder with religious communities, particularly religious
minorities who are the targets of such attacks. Just because you have
the right to say something doesn’t mean the rest of us shouldn’t
question those who would insult others in the name of free speech.
Because we know that our nations are stronger when people of all faiths
feel that they are welcome, that they, too, are full and equal members
of our countries.
So humility I think is needed. And the second thing we need is to
uphold the distinction between our faith and our governments. Between
church and between state. The United States is one of the most
religious countries in the world -- far more religious than most Western
developed countries. And one of the reasons is that our founders
wisely embraced the separation of church and state. Our government does
not sponsor a religion, nor does it pressure anyone to practice a
particular faith, or any faith at all. And the result is a culture
where people of all backgrounds and beliefs can freely and proudly
worship, without fear, or coercion -- so that when you listen to Darrell
talk about his faith journey you know it's real. You know he’s not
saying it because it helps him advance, or because somebody told him
to. It's from the heart.
That’s not the case in theocracies that restrict people’s choice of
faith. It's not the case in authoritarian governments that elevate an
individual leader or a political party above the people, or in some
cases, above the concept of God Himself. So the freedom of religion is a
value we will continue to protect here at home and stand up for around
the world, and is one that we guard vigilantly here in the United
States.
Last year, we joined together to pray for the release of Christian
missionary Kenneth Bae, held in North Korea for two years. And today,
we give thanks that Kenneth is finally back where he belongs -- home,
with his family. (Applause.)
Last year, we prayed together for Pastor Saeed Abedini, detained in
Iran since 2012. And I was recently in Boise, Idaho, and had the
opportunity to meet with Pastor Abedini’s beautiful wife and wonderful
children and to convey to them that our country has not forgotten
brother Saeed and that we’re doing everything we can to bring him home.
(Applause.) And then, I received an extraordinary letter from Pastor
Abedini. And in it, he describes his captivity, and expressed his
gratitude for my visit with his family, and thanked us all for standing
in solidarity with him during his captivity.
And Pastor Abedini wrote, “Nothing is more valuable to the Body of
Christ than to see how the Lord is in control, and moves ahead of
countries and leadership through united prayer.” And he closed his
letter by describing himself as “prisoner for Christ, who is proud to be
part of this great nation of the United States of America that cares
for religious freedom around the world.” (Applause.)
We’re going to keep up this work -- for Pastor Abedini and all those
around the world who are unjustly held or persecuted because of their
faith. And we’re grateful to our new Ambassador-at-Large for
International Religious Freedom, Rabbi David Saperstein -- who has hit
the ground running, and is heading to Iraq in a few days to help
religious communities there address some of those challenges. Where’s
David? I know he’s here somewhere. Thank you, David, for the great
work you’re doing. (Applause.)
Humility; a suspicion of government getting between us and our
faiths, or trying to dictate our faiths, or elevate one faith over
another. And, finally, let’s remember that if there is one law that we
can all be most certain of that seems to bind people of all faiths, and
people who are still finding their way towards faith but have a sense of
ethics and morality in them -- that one law, that Golden Rule that we
should treat one another as we wish to be treated. The Torah says “Love
thy neighbor as yourself.” In Islam, there is a Hadith that states:
"None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves
for himself.” The Holy Bible tells us to “put on love, which binds
everything together in perfect harmony.” Put on love.
Whatever our beliefs, whatever our traditions, we must seek to be
instruments of peace, and bringing light where there is darkness, and
sowing love where there is hatred. And this is the loving message of
His Holiness, Pope Francis. And like so many people around the world,
I’ve been touched by his call to relieve suffering, and to show justice
and mercy and compassion to the most vulnerable; to walk with The Lord
and ask “Who am I to judge?” He challenges us to press on in what he
calls our “march of living hope.” And like millions of Americans, I am
very much looking forward to welcoming Pope Francis to the United States
later this year. (Applause.)
His Holiness expresses that basic law: Treat thy neighbor as
yourself. The Dalai Lama -- anybody who’s had an opportunity to be with
him senses that same spirit. Kent Brantly expresses that same spirit.
Kent was with Samaritan’s Purse, treating Ebola patients in Liberia,
when he contracted the virus himself. And with world-class medical care
and a deep reliance on faith -- with God’s help, Kent survived.
(Applause.)
And then by donating his plasma, he helped others survive as well.
And he continues to advocate for a global response in West Africa,
reminding us that “our efforts needs to be on loving the people there.”
And I could not have been prouder to welcome Kent and his wonderful
wife Amber to the Oval Office. We are blessed to have him here today --
because he reminds us of what it means to really “love thy neighbor as
thyself.” Not just words, but deeds.
Each of us has a role in fulfilling our common, greater purpose --
not merely to seek high position, but to plumb greater depths so that we
may find the strength to love more fully. And this is perhaps our
greatest challenge -- to see our own reflection in each other; to be our
brother’s keepers and sister’s keepers, and to keep faith with one
another. As children of God, let’s make that our work, together.
As children of God, let’s work to end injustice -- injustice of
poverty and hunger. No one should ever suffer from such want amidst
such plenty. As children of God, let’s work to eliminate the scourge of
homelessness, because, as Sister Mary says, “None of us are home until
all of us are home.” None of us are home until all of us are home.
As children of God, let’s stand up for the dignity and value of every
woman, and man, and child, because we are all equal in His eyes, and
work to send the scourge and the sin of modern-day slavery and human
trafficking, and “set the oppressed free.” (Applause.)
If we are properly humble, if we drop to our knees on occasion, we
will acknowledge that we never fully know God’s purpose. We can never
fully fathom His amazing grace. “We see through a glass, darkly” --
grappling with the expanse of His awesome love. But even with our
limits, we can heed that which is required: To do justice, and love
kindness, and walk humbly with our God.
I pray that we will. And as we journey together on this “march of
living hope,” I pray that, in His name, we will run and not be weary,
and walk and not be faint, and we’ll heed those words and “put on
love.”
May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may He bless this precious country that we love.
President Barack Obama Weekly Address The White House January 31, 2015
Hi, everybody. At a moment when our economy is growing, our
businesses are creating jobs at the fastest pace since the 1990s, and
wages are starting to rise again, we have to make some choices about the
kind of country we want to be.
Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly
well? Or will we build an economy where everyone who works hard has a
chance to get ahead?
That was the focus of my State of the Union Address – middle-class
economics. The idea that this country does best when everyone gets
their fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by
the same set of rules.
This week, I will send a budget to Congress that’s built on those values.
We’ll help working families’ paychecks go farther by treating things
like paid leave and child care like the economic priorities that they
are. We’ll offer Americans of every age the chance to upgrade their
skills so they can earn higher wages, with plans like making two years
of community college free for every responsible student. And we’ll keep
building the world’s most attractive economy for high-wage jobs, with
new investments in research, infrastructure, manufacturing, and expanded
access to faster internet and new markets.
We can afford to make these investments. Since I took office, we’ve
cut our deficits by about two-thirds – the fastest sustained deficit
reduction since just after the end of World War II. We just have to be
smarter about how we pay for our priorities, and that’s what my budget
does. It proposes getting rid of special interest loopholes in our tax
code, and using those savings to cut taxes for middle-class families and
reward businesses that invest in America. It refuses to play politics
with our homeland security, and funds our national security priorities
at home and abroad. And it undoes the arbitrary, across-the-board
budget cuts known as “the sequester” for our domestic priorities, and
matches those investments dollar-for-dollar in resources our troops need
to get the job done.
Now, I know that there are Republicans in Congress who disagree with
my approach. And like I said in my State of the Union Address, if they
have ideas that will help middle-class families feel some economic
security, I’m all in to work with them. But I will keep doing
everything I can to help more working families make ends meet and get
ahead. Not just because we want everyone to share in America’s success –
but because we want everyone to contribute to America’s success.
That’s the way the middle class thrived in the last century – and that’s how it will thrive again.
