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We the Government
Wall Street Journal ^

Posted on 01/22/2013 5:55:06 AM PST by Sub-Driver

We the Government An inaugural address of striking liberal ambition and partisanship.

President Obama's second inaugural address won't be remembered for stirring lines, but then its purpose seemed to be more political than inspirational. Mr. Obama was laying down a marker that he has no intention of letting debt or deficits or lagging economic growth slow his plans for activist, expansive government.

Inaugurals usually include calls for national unity and appeals to our founding principles, which is part of their charm. With the election long over, swearing in a President is a moment for celebrating larger national purposes. But Mr. Obama's speech was notable for invoking the founding principles less to unify than to justify what he called "collective action." The President borrowed the Constitution's opening words of "we the people" numerous times, but his main theme was that the people are fundamentally defined through government action, and his government is here to help you.

On that theme, the speech was especially striking for including a specific defense of the federal entitlement programs that everyone knows must be reformed. Mr. Obama cited "Medicare, and Medicaid, and Social Security" by name as "the commitments we make to each other." Typically, such programmatic specificity is reserved for State of the Union speeches. Mr. Obama almost seemed to be elevating them to Constitutional rights.

Typically, too, inaugural addresses avoid overt partisanship. But after mentioning those entitlements by name, Mr. Obama couldn't resist saying that those programs "do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great."

The "takers" line was a clear shot at Mitt Romney's most famous campaign gaffe.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 01/22/2013 5:55:08 AM PST by Sub-Driver
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To: Sub-Driver

Never has such a contemptible human being occupied the White House before. I avoided all coverage of the crowning ceremony other than this WSJ editorial. I’ve heard enough. Too depressing.


2 posted on 01/22/2013 6:05:15 AM PST by crusader71
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To: Sub-Driver

Conservative strategy must put a priority on containing the damage from the worst Fraud in history. Limit the debt as much as humanly possible, challenge his authority in every arena, tie up his crook administration with legal actions against his crook administrators and their illegal maneuverings. Perhaps equally important, strive to educate the public about the consequences of Socialism. All this while doing our best to keep the Republic alive and functioning.


3 posted on 01/22/2013 6:06:51 AM PST by Missouri gal
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To: Sub-Driver

Mussolini reincarnated.


4 posted on 01/22/2013 6:08:13 AM PST by Eye of Unk (AR2 2013 is the American Revolution part 2 of 2013)
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To: Sub-Driver

The Emperors rule:Live to work obey and pay.


5 posted on 01/22/2013 6:28:20 AM PST by Vaduz
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To: Sub-Driver

I’m weary of being insulted by this President.


6 posted on 01/22/2013 7:24:02 AM PST by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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