President Obama delivered his last, farewell speech Tuesday in Chicago. The performance was for the President the opportunity to talk about their plans, though not necessarily final, about heritage for years and decades to come.
Below we publish the full transcript of the speech.
Obama: Hey, Skybrook!
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Good to be home!
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Thank you all!
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you, thank you. Thank you.
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Good to be home.
Thank you.
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We live, and I shall continue.
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You can call me a loser because nobody carries out the instructions.
(laughter)
Sit down.
My fellow Americans, Michelle and I are touched by all the good wishes received over the past weeks. Today it’s my turn to say thank you.
No matter whether we looked at things the same way or didn’t agree, but my conversation with you, with the American people, whether in living rooms and in schools, on farms and in factories, at lunch and at the distant military positions, these conversations forced me to be honest, inspired me and gave me strength to go on. Every day I learned from you. You made me a better person as a President and as a person.
I first came to Chicago shortly after I turned 20 years old. I’m still trying to understand who I am, and to find purpose in life. Nearby is the area where I began working with Church groups in the shadow of a closed steel mill.
In these streets I see the power of faith, saw the quiet dignity of the workers in the face of suffering and loss.
(crowd shouts, “four More years!”)
I can not do.
At that time I realized that change is possible only when are involved the common people, when they get involved and demand change.
I was your President for eight years, and I still believe in it. And it’s not just my faith. It’s the beating heart of America — our bold experiment in self-government.
I am convinced that we are all created equal, that the Creator has given us inalienable rights, including the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I have to say that, although these rights are self-evident, they are not samorealizatsii. “We the people” using the tools of our democracy to make the country better.
What a radical idea this great gift of the Founders for us. The freedom to strive to fulfil their dreams, to achieve it through hard work and imagination, as well as the admonition to work hard together for the common good, the greater good.
240 years the conversion of our nation to the citizens of the given case and the purpose of each new generation. It led the patriots to the Republic instead of the tyranny, pushed the pioneers to the West, inspired the slaves on a brave fight, paving the way to freedom.
It attracted immigrants and refugees from overseas and Rio Grande. It prompted the women to achieve suffrage. It has sent workers to organize. The soldiers gave him their life on Omaha beach and Iwo Jima, in Iraq and Afghanistan, as men and women from “Selma” to “Stonewall”.
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That’s what we mean, calling America an exceptional country. Initially, our country was not perfect, but we showed that we can change and improve the lives of future generations.
Yes, our progress has been uneven. Democracy has always been hard work. There is a contradiction. Sometimes blood was shed. Very often two steps forward step back. But for a long time for America characterized by the development, permanent extension of the fundamental principle of involving all and not just some.
If eight years ago I told you that America will overcome the serious recession that will restart the auto industry, will enter into the longest continuous period of job creation, if I told you that we start a new Chapter in relations with the Cuban people, close to the Iranian nuclear weapons program without firing a shot, let’s deal with the organizer of the September 11 attacks, will provide 20 million citizens equality in marriage and health insurance, if I told you all this then, you would have considered our goals too high.
But we all did it. You did all this. You have made changes. In response to the expectations of people and thanks to you America in almost all aspects better and stronger than it was when we started.
In ten days the world will see the main feature of our democracy. No, no, no, no, no. The peaceful transfer of power from one freely elected President to another. I promised to President-elect Trump that my administration will make the smoothest possible transfer of power, as made to me by President Bush.
Because it depends on us, the government will be able to help us overcome numerous challenges. We have to do what you need. We have everything you need to cope with the challenges. In the end, we are the most rich, powerful and respected country in the world.
Our youth, our energy, our diversity and openness, our unlimited ability to take risks and to be updated mean that the future must belong to us. But this potential will be realized only if democracy will continue to work. Only if our policies will reflect the virtues of our people. Only if we all, regardless of party affiliation and personal aspirations, will be able to restore a sense of common purpose that we so desperately need today.
And this is what I’d like to talk about today. About the state of our democracy. Understanding of democracy does not require uniformity. Our Founders debated, argued and the result was a compromise. They would like us to do the same. They knew that democracy requires a basic sense of solidarity. The idea is that, despite all our differences, we are all one, we rise and fail as a single unit.
In the history there were moments when our solidarity was threatened. One of those moments occurred at the beginning of this century. Shrinking world, increasing inequalities, demographic changes, a variety of terrorism. These forces are not just challenged the security and prosperity they have experienced and our democracy. How we answer these challenges of democracy, will determine our ability to educate children, create jobs and protect the homeland.
In other words, it will determine our future. For starters, our democracy will not work without the feeling that everyone has economic opportunity.
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The good news is that the economy today is on the rise again. Wages, income, housing costs, retirement savings are growing again. Poverty is reduced.
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The rich pay fair share of taxes. Even if stock markets are reeling, unemployment is at its lowest level in ten years. The number of people without insurance has never been so small.
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The cost of health care grow at its slowest pace in 50 years. And, as I said, and I still think so, if someone can prepare a plan, clearly surpassing our modernisation of the healthcare system and covering the same people for less money, I openly support it.
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Because we work for it. Not for points and commendations. In order to make people’s lives better.
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But, despite all of our real progress is not enough. The economy works well enough and growing fast enough, when the few thrive at the expense of the growing middle class and social mobility for those who would like to enter into it.
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It is the economic aspect. But the entrenched inequality and destroys our democracy. While one percent of the elite accumulates an increasing share of funds, too many families in cities and rural areas have been left behind.
Fired factory worker, waitress, or employee of the health system, which struggled to make ends meet. They believe that the game goes against them. That their government serves only the interests of influential people. It increases cynicism and polarization in politics.
Quickly to remedy this long-term trend is impossible. I agree that our trade must be fair and not just free. But the next wave of economic turmoil is not from abroad. It will be the result of our rampant automation that make unnecessary a lot of jobs in the middle class.
So you will need a new social contract guaranteeing that all children receive the necessary education.
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To give the workers the power…
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…to achieve the best salaries.
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And implement more reforms of the tax legislation to the Corporation and the people harvesting the main part of the fruit of the new economy, to fulfill their obligations to the country that gave them the opportunity to succeed.
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You can argue about which way to achieve these objectives better. But about the actual order can not argue. If we do not create opportunities for all, the discontent and secession, hampering our progress, and will worsen in the coming years.
There is a second threat to our democracy. And she old as our country.
After my election there was talk about postremoval America. But this view was not realistic, despite good intentions. Race remains a powerful…
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…and often leading to divisive force.
I have lived long enough to understand that race relations are better today than they were 10, 20 or 30 years ago, that whatever is said some people.
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This follows not only from the statistics. This is evident from the relations of young Americans across the political spectrum. But we are still not where it should be. And we all have more work.
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If every economic problem can present as a struggle between the hard working white middle class and unworthy minority, the workers of all colors and will collect the crumbs, while the rich will continue to close in their enclaves.
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If we do not want to invest in immigrant children, because they don’t look like us, we harm the future of their children, as these brown children represent an increasing part of the working force of America.
© REUTERS, Craig LassigАкция protest “black Lives matters” in Minneapolis
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And we have shown that our economy should not be a zero-sum game. In the past year has increased the income of all races, all ages, men and women.
So if we are serious about progress in race relations, we should maintain laws against discrimination in employment, housing, education and law enforcement system.
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This is required by our Constitution and the highest ideals.
But laws alone are not enough. Must change the heart. This transformation is not instantaneous. Social relationships sometimes change only a few generations. But if we want democracy worked as it should, each of us must heed the advice of the great literary character of Atticus Finch, who said, “You never understand a person unless you look at things from his point of view, will not climb into his skin and stay in it.”
For blacks and other minorities this means the need to link our real fight for justice with the challenges faced by other people in our country. Not only the refugee, the immigrant, the rural poor, or American transgender, but white middle-aged guy, which at first glance you might think that he has everything, but who watches as his world becomes upside down due to the economic, cultural and technological changes.
We need to pay attention to it and listen to the problem.
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White must understand that the consequences of slavery and Jim crow did not disappear suddenly in the 1960-ies, when minorities complain, they just say reverse racism, or political correctness show that their peaceful protests, they do not seek a special relationship, and true equality in accordance with the promises of our Founders.
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For native Americans this means that sounding today stereotypes about immigrants word for word repeat what was said about the Irish, Italians and poles. Told they will destroy the foundations of America. But as it turned out, these aliens have not weakened America, they have strengthened the credo of the nation, and the country became even stronger.
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So whatever position we may occupy, we must better our best, we must assume that all citizens love this country as much as we do, that they value hard work and family so well as we do that their children are just as curious, full of hope and deserve love as ours.
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It’s not easy. Too many of us prefer to leave in your small world, be it a residence, a University campus, a place of worship or social media, and surround yourself with people who are similar to us, share our political views and not to challenge our views. In light of increasing bias, against the background of growing economic and regional stratification, fragmentation of our media channels for all tastes such sorting seems natural and inevitable.
And we gradually begin to feel good about themselves in their bubbles, that only accept the information, whether false or true, which corresponds to our opinion, instead of based on external data.
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This trend represents a third threat to democracy. Look, politics is a battle of ideas. So we formed our democracy. In the case of healthy debate, we strive to achieve different goals and used different methods. But without some common base of facts, without the desire to accept new information and willingness to admit that your opponent may be right, but science and logic are important, we’ll speak to each of his.
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To find a common denominator, compromise will be impossible. Isn’t that why politics often seems so depressing? Why elected officials are indignant when we offer to spend money on preschool education, but not when we cut taxes for corporations?
How can we justify the ethical failures of his own party and frustrated when the other party does the same? It’s not just unfair, it is a selective attitude to facts. This leads to defeat, because, as my mother used to say, reality will always find a way to get even with you.
Take the problem of climate change. For eight years we have halved our dependence on imported oil has doubled renewable energy and led the world to an agreement that promises to save our planet.
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But without more decisive action from our kids won’t have time to argue about the existence of climate change. They will have to deal with their consequences. More natural disasters, more economic problems, waves of climate refugees in search of asylum. We can and should argue about how best to solve this problem. But the denial that it is not just betraying future generations, it betrays the basic spirit of this country, a spirit of renewal and practical approach that has guided our Founders.
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This spirit gave rise to the enlightenment and has given us economic power. This spirit has carried out flights in kitty hawk and Cape Canaveral, this spirit heals and puts computers in every pocket. This faith in reason and enterprise, in the superiority of law over force, allowing us to avoid the trap of fascism and tyranny during the great depression and the us to build a world order after the Second world war with other democracies.
Order based not only on military force and state affiliation, but on such principles as the rule of law, human rights, freedom of religion, speech and Assembly, independent press.
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That order is challenged today. First, violent fanatics who claim that they speak on behalf of Islam, secondly, the authoritarian leaders of other countries who believe that free markets, open democracy and civil society a threat to their power.
Coming from their threat to our democracy is much more serious than a car bomb or a rocket. They embody the fear of change. Fear of people wishing to speak or pray differently. Contempt for the rule of law, calling on leaders to answer. Intolerance of dissent, freedom of thought. The belief that a sword, a gun, a bomb or propaganda machine define what is right, that is true.
Thanks to the incredible bravery of our men and women in uniform. Thanks to our intelligence services, law enforcement, diplomats, supporting our soldiers…
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…no foreign terrorist organization was able to plan and carry out a terrorist attack on our territory over the last eight years.
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Although…
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Boston, Orlando, San Bernardino and Fort hood serve as a reminder for us about the danger of radicalization, our law enforcement agencies more efficient and alert than ever. We reached tens of thousands of terrorists, including Osama bin Laden.
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The global coalition against ISIS (banned in Russia as a terrorist organization — approx. lane) under our guidance have eliminated their leaders and deprived the group of half of the territory. ISIS will be destroyed. And none threatening America will not feel safe.
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All who serve and have served, know this: for me it was a great honor to be your commander in chief.
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We are all very grateful to you.
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But the protection of our way of life is not only the responsibility of our military. Democracy can be distorted as a result of fear. Therefore, we must not only remain vigilant against external threats but to protect the values that make us who we are.
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That’s why over the past eight years, I tried to give terrorism a solid legal basis. That’s why we have stopped torture, tried to close Guantanamo, changed the laws on surveillance for the protection of privacy and civil liberties.
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That’s why I’m against the discrimination of American Muslims…
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…who are not less Patriotic than we are.
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Here’s why…
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That’s why we can’t…
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That is why we cannot abandon the global struggle to spread democracy, protect human rights, the rights of women and LGBT people.
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And although our attempts are far from perfect, and it might seem reasonable to ignore these values, these efforts are element of America’s defense. The fight against extremism, intolerance, religious hatred, chauvinism is part of the struggle against state authoritarianism and aggression. If worldwide limited freedom and less respect for the rule of law, increasing the risk of civil and inter-state wars, and our own freedom be threatened.
So be careful, but don’t be afraid. ISIS will try to kill innocent people. But they can’t win America if we will not betray our Constitution and our principles in the struggle.
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Such rivals as Russia and China, not to beat our influence around the world unless we abandon that fight and won’t become another big country bullied smaller neighbors.
This brings me to my last statement. Our democracy will be threatened if we treat her as something taken for granted.
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All of us, regardless of party, should devote themselves to the task of restoring our democratic institutions.
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Once the voter turnout in the USA is one of the lowest among democratic countries, we must simplify, not to complicate the voting process.
© REUTERS, Jonathan DrakeПодсчет of the votes of the electoral College in North Carolina
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Once the credibility of our institutions is so low, we need to speak out against the corrosive influence of money in politics and achieve compliance with ethical principles and transparency in the public sector. If Congress is not functioning, then we should encourage the County to force politicians to stick to common sense and not go to extremes.
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But remember that none of this will happen by itself. It all depends on our participation, we each need to assume civil liability, in whatever direction or swung the pendulum of power.
Our Constitution is important, beautiful gift. But really it’s just a sheet of parchment. By itself it has no power. Give him the power to we the people. We the people give it value their participation, their choices and alliances that formed.
It depends on us whether we protect their freedom or not, whether we respect the rule of law and strengthen her or not. America is not a fragile thing. But the achievements of our long journey to freedom is not guaranteed in perpetuity.
In his farewell address, George Washington wrote that the government is the basis of our security, prosperity and freedom, but “for different reasons in different circles will be taken a lot of effort to weaken your confidence in the truth.”
So we have a duty to “zealously” defend the truth, we must reject “the first stirrings of attempts to set one part of the country against the other and to weaken the sacred ties” that bind us together.
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America, we have weakened those ties, when did political debate is so poisonous that people of goodwill don’t even want to go into public service. So strong is this hatred that the Americans with whom we disagree are not just mistaken but maliciously. We weaken these bonds when we believe that some of us more American than others.
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When we describe the whole system, as inevitably corrupt. And when we sit and criticize the leaders who have chosen, forgetting his role in their election.
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The duty to be a zealous, restless guardians of democracy rests on all of us. To work for the benefit of joyful task of continuous improvement of a great country, because, despite all our differences, we all belong to the proud type, we all perform the most important role in a democracy — the role of the citizen.
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Citizen. See, that’s what we need in our democracy. She needs you. Not only during elections, not only when talking about narrow interests, but throughout your life. If you are tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try to talk to them in real life.
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If you need to fix something, then strap on your boots and go to work.
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If you don’t like elected officials, then grab the folder, collect signatures and running themselves.
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Go ahead, dive in, stay there. Sometimes you win, sometimes lose. To assume that other quite good, can be risky. Sometimes you’ll be disappointed. But as someone who was lucky enough to be part of this and to see what is happening close enough, I can assure you that it can give strength and inspire. And your faith in America and Americans will be more likely to justify themselves than not. With me it was so.
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In the eight years I’ve seen full of hope faces of young graduates and new officers. I grieved along with the families demanding answers, and found mercy in the Church in Charleston. I saw how our scientists have helped paralyzed man to regain the sense of touch. I saw the wounded soldiers, who by all indications was going to die, to walk again.
I’ve seen our doctors and volunteers helped to rebuild after the earthquake and stopped the pandemic. I’ve seen very young children with their generosity and their actions were reminded that we need to take care of refugees, to work for peace and, above all, to care about each other. And my faith in the ability of ordinary Americans to bring about change, which originated many years ago near here, has rewarded me in an incredible way. I even imagine this could not.
I hope you too will reward your faith. Some of you have been here, others watched from home and was with us in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
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Maybe some of you still don’t believe that we did it.
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Let me tell you that you are not alone.
(laughter)
Michelle…
(laughter)
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Michelle Lavon Robinson from the South Side…
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For 25 years you were not just my wife and the mother of my children. You were my best friend.
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You had the role, which you didn’t. You played the role with dignity, zeal, style and a good sense of humor.
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You turned the White house into a place that belongs to all.
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A new generation sets itself a higher goal, as you have become their role model.
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I was proud of you. The whole country is proud of you.
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Malia and Sasha…
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In the most bizarre circumstances you have become amazing young women.
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You are smart and beautiful. But, most importantly, you are kind, caring and full of compassion.
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And…
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You are so easily carried these years, the burden of life for all to see. From everything I’ve done in my life, most of all I am proud that I am your father.
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Joe Biden…
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Militant kid from Scranton…
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Who became the favorite son of Delaware. You were my first and best purpose.
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Not only because you were a great Vice President, but also because I gained a brother. We love you Jill as a family. Friendship with you was a great joy to our lives.
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My wonderful staff that worked with me for eight years, and some more. I took your energy. Every day I tried to reflect what you gave me. Warmth and character. And idealism. I saw how you grew up, got married, had children, took an incredible journey.
Even when it was hard times, disappointments, best of you left Washington. You have struggled with cynicism. And even more than all the good that we did, I’m proud of what heights you reach next.
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And here you all — the organizers, first arrived in a new city, families who took them there, the volunteers, banged on doors, young people, first time voters, the Americans who lived it hard work to effect the changes that you are all the best supporters and organizers, what you ask for, and I’ll be grateful forever. Because you have changed the world.
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You changed it.
And that’s why today I’m leaving the scene, filled with more optimism about the country than when we started. Because I know that our work not only helped many Americans she inspired them, particularly many young people, and made to believe that you can make a difference, become part of something bigger.
Let me tell you that I see the coming generation, unselfish, altruistic, talented, and Patriotic, everywhere in this country. You believe in honest, fair America for everyone, you know that constant change is a hallmark of America, and they should not fear, but welcome, and you want in the future to carry out this democratic work. You will soon become bigger than all of us, and I believe that the future is in good hands.
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My fellow Americans, to serve you was an honour. In fact, I will not cease to serve you, I will be with you your whole life as a citizen. But now, if you are young at heart or body, I as the President I ask you one thing. About the same, as requested when you elected me President eight years ago.
I ask you to believe. Not in my ability to implement change, and in your.
I ask you to adhere to the faith, written down in our founding documents, the faith in the idea that the whispered slaves and abolitionists in spirit, who sang of immigrants and settlers, and those who came out to demonstrate in the name of justice, in the credo of those who put the flags on the battlefields and on the moon, the credo of every American, whose history hasn’t been written yet: “Yes we can”.
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Yes, we could.
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Yes, we can.
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Thank you. God bless you. And may the Lord continue to bless the United States of America. Thank you.
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