Obama Thanksgiving Proclamation 2012 (FULL TEXT)

On Thanksgiving Day, Americans gather with family, partners and friends to recount the benefits lavished upon us this past year.

This day is a time to take stock of what we have gained after a long struggle of securing rights to share in the bounty that this nation has produced.

Thanks to our hard fought efforts, we are grateful that we are beginning to see a better distribution of resources that hold the promise of enriching our lives.

As we see needs being met by a multitude of re-distributive programs take effect, we are reminded of the indelible spirit of compassion and fairness that has distinguished our Nation since its earliest days.

When the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony gave thanks for a bountiful harvest nearly four centuries ago, they sat down to enjoy the fruits of the labor of the Wampanoag tribe -- a people who knew that community means to share among everyone.

We look to the generosity of the natives now for inspiration that America can still be great if we have the courage to spread wealth among all Americans.

We know that it was only a few years later that these peaceful, earth-friendly natives had to face exploitation of white immigrants who took their land and left many dead. But, we can still learn from their example.

When President George Washington marked our democracy's first Thanksgiving, he evoked the sentiment that it is always right that those who possess stockpiles of goods should be willing to spread their wealth among the needy, feed the hungry and satisfy inalienable desires for equality.

And when our Nation was torn by civil war, President Abraham Lincoln also voiced concern that in his wisdom every American has a birth right to decent health care, affordable housing and government supplemented food aide when needed.

Those expressions of fairness still echo as reminders for us today, that in spite of the memory of the denial of human rights to Native Americans, or the strife caused by a capitalist system our forebears established to attain class privileges, we still might move forward to create a fairer society.

As we reflect on our heritage, let us also give thanks to those who honor it by giving back.

This Thanksgiving, thousands of campaign workers, unionists, community organizers and human rights activists will sit down to enjoy a hot meal and a place to stay.

We are grateful that there are still some in our land who fight to make sure that everybody’s got a fair shot.

They remind us of a rock solid truth that bind us together on this holiday of reflection: for each according to his or her need. From each according to his or her ability!

This thanksgiving we are witnessing our nation being transformed into a place we can all take pride in.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 22, 2012, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.

I encourage the people of the United States to join together -- whether in our homes, union halls, bath houses, community centers, family planning clinics, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors -- and thanks each other for all we have received in the past year, express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and share our bounty with others.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of November, in the common era two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

Yes, this is a weak parody, as it is more like,

Let us give thanks to the Almighty and Progressive Government, which in its Wisdom realizes that it is Unjust for a class of people to presume that they may attain more wealth, power and privilege because of their efforts to earn these;

And that their voluntarily sharing of some of this wealth is to be according to their judgment, and is called charity.

And instead your Lord Government sees this as the oppression that it really is, as all are worthy of the same standard of living regardless of whether they worked to develop their talent, character and resources, and indeed it is their right to the same blessings even if they squander such, as even your Lord Government examples, as it also has Itself “climbed up some other way” to power.

And thus it has worked to redistribute the wealth of those who earned it under the racist Capitalist system, which favors those of lighter complexion, so that under the Holy Socialist System all may someday enjoy the same standard of living, made available thru such Sacraments as Food Stamps, SSI, Medicare, under the Benevolent eye of the Liberal Elite who Alone ought to be worshiped.

Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, New York, 3 October 1789 — By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation:

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness. (http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html)

Congressional Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, November 1, 1777 — Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of;... It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance;...may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God...to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. (http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=3847)

Congressional Fast Day Proclamation, March 20, 1779 — WHEREAS, in just Punishment of our manifold Transgressions, it hath pleased the Supreme Disposer of all Events to visit these United States with a calamitous War, through which his Divine Providence hath hitherto in a wonderful Manner conducted us, so that we might acknowledge that the Race is not to the Swift, nor the Battle to the Strong: AND WHEREAS, notwithstanding the Chastisements received and Benefits bestowed, too few have been sufficiently awakened to a Sense of their Guilt, or warmed with Gratitude, or taught to amend their Lives and turn from their Sins, that so he might turn his Wrath: AND WHEREAS, from a Consciousness of what we have merited at his Hands, and an Apprehension that the Malevolence of our disappointed Enemies, like the Incredulity of Pharaoh, may be used as the Scourge of Omnipotence to vindicate his slighted Majesty, there is Reason to fear that he may permit much of our Land to become the Prey of the Spoiler, our Borders to be ravaged, and our Habitations destroyed:

RESOLVED,

THAT it be recommended to the several States to appoint the First Thursday in May next to be a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer to Almighty God, that he will be pleased to avert those impending Calamities which we have but too well deserved: That he will grant us his Grace to repent of our Sins, and amend our Lives according to his Holy Word: That he will continue that wonderful Protection which hath led us through the Paths of Danger and Distress:...

That he will diffuse Useful Knowledge, extend the Influence of True Religion, and give us that Peace of Mind which the World cannot give.. (http://www.beliefnet.com/resourcelib/docs/35/Congressional_Prayer_Proclamation_1779_1.html)

Congressional Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1782 — It being the indispensable duty of all nations, not only to offer up their supplications to Almighty God, the giver of all good, for His gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner, to give Him praise for His goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of His Providence in their behalf; therefore, the Unites States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of Divine goodness to these States in the course of the important conflict, in which they have been so long engaged, - the present happy and promising state of public affairs, and the events of the war in the course of the year now drawing to a close;..Do hereby recommend it to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe and request the several states to interpose their authority, in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF NOVEMBER next as a day of SOLEMN THANKSGIVING to GOD for all His mercies; and they do further recommend to all ranks to testify their gratitude to God for His goodness by a cheerful obedience to His laws and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

• Done in Congress at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh. (http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=17944)

An excerpt in Cockney Rhyming Dilect(?):

over the Present and Past few weeks, we’ve Pearly Queen fema personnel, national guard and Damien Hirst responders workin' 'round the dickory Red sock in 'ard-hit communities. we’ve Pearly Queen 'ospital workers usin' their Kidney Punch breaks ter distribute supplies. families offerin' up extra bedrooms. the Jeremiah department advertisin' buckshee Peas in a Pot showers. buses full of volunteers comin' from 'undreds of miles away. neighbors sharin' whatever they 'ave – In The Nude, Ten Furlongs, electricity – and sayin' again and again 'a lucky they 're ter 'ave a roof over their 'eads. it would 'ave been Ham and Cheesy for these folks ter do nuffin' – ter worry abaht themselves and leef the George Best ter someone else. but that’s not 'oo we 're. that’s not wot we do. as americans, we 're a bold, generous, big-hearted people. chicken pen our brothers and Vera Lynn 'n' blisters 're in need, we roll up our sleeves and get ter Kathy Burke – not for the recognition or the reward, but 'cause it’s the wite fin' ter do. 'cause there but for the grace of god Scapa Fla I. and 'cause 'ere in america, we rise or fall together, as wahn nation and wahn people. that’s summit ter be grateful for – today and every day. so ter aw the americans doin' your part ter make our world a better Drum – it is me privilege ter serve as your president. ter aw our servicemembers – it is me 'onor ter be your commander in chief. and from our family ter yours, 'appy thanksgivin'.

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