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Edited on Sun Aug-07-05 08:48 PM by ClarkUSA
Today, three days after the birth of their second grandson, Wes Clark headlined the first-ever Ed Muskie Lobster Festival fundraiser at Thomas Point Beach. Governor John Baldacci, Gert Clark and over 500 of the Party faithful had a wonderful time today joining Wes Clark in this special event supporting the Maine Democratic Party.
This is his speech this afternoon to the crowd. I wanted to share it because it has what I think is great framing about what the Democratic Party is all about, which sadly, is something way too many voters today are no longer sure of anymore. ........
Gen. Wesley Clark in 8/7/05 Brunswick, Maine
Governor, thank you very much for that warm welcome and all of you for being out here on this beautiful day. Gert and I are just thrilled to be here with you in Maine. We love this state, we've been here many times, and it's just great to see you out here. I'd like to echo something that your Governor just said. I'm so happy to see the kids out here, because Democrats stand for family values. That's a message that will not only ripple across America, we want it to rocket across America. Because our values are the values that it takes to have and nurture a family. Values like believing in the importance of having real employment.
Democrats know how to build a strong economy, and create jobs. We believe in family values like education, because if you can't get a good education for your kids, they're not going to be able to provide for their families. We believe in family values like health care, because if you don't have strong health care, you can't take care of a family. So this is a Democratic Party of family values.
We're also a Democratic Party that has strong faith. It doesn't matter what church you belong to, or temple, or whether you have your own spirituality, by yourself or with groups, it doesn't matter. But, Democrats lead in faith. Because what's common to every religion I've ever been associated with or studied, is one simple fundamental principle, and that is those who are more advantaged in life should reach out and help those who aren't so advantaged. And that's what this party stands for.
When you talk about moral values, it's all over the new testament. I want to remind my Christian friends, Jesus was concerned about the problems of poverty. Jesus wanted to do something to help men andwomen and families on this Earth. And He considered that a moral value, and so do we. That's what Democrats are all about.
America needs the strong values and the strong convictions of Democrats today. Because we know we've got real challenges facing this country and our families now, and in the years ahead. We've got challenges at home, in education. We're struggling to make sure our children have the kinds of educational opportunities they need to keep up in the modern world. State schools and colleges across this country, their tuition has gone up more than 30 percent in the last four years. And I don't know of very many peoples incomes who've gone up 30 percent in the last four years, unless maybe they were working for Enron, or something.
We've got to have education for our young people. Democrats know how to fix these problems. We've got to have health care. We've got the best doctors, the best technology in the world. We've got 45 million Americans without health insurance, and we are driving American businesses offshore because they can't afford the cost of health insurance for their employees. That's a problem Democrats know how to fix. And we're going to ask the American people to give us the power to do so.
And if you look abroad at the challenges there, of course we did to Iraq. It was a war I think increasingly is clear, that we did NOT have to fight. George Bush chose that war to take us into, God only knows what his motives were. We've heard explanation after explanation after explanation. I don't think we've ever heard the truth about it. My heart goes out to the families of those who've served over there, especially those who've lost loved ones over there. We know what those sacrifices are like.
And one thing Democrats know very clearly, we believe in a strong national security. But we will use all the instruments of national power before we use the military. The military needs to be used only, only, only as a last resort. So that's what Democrats stand for, and that's why this country needs strong Democratic leadership in office. And I want to congratulate your Governor John Baldacci because he's proving it right here in Maine. He's showing this country what strong Democratic values and convictions can do for the people in Maine.
And I want to recognize my friends (Rep.) Tom Allen and (Rep.) Mike Michaud for what their doing in Congress. I see them almost every time I'm on the hill. Mike is fighting for veterans affairs and he's doing a great job of it. And Tom and Mike are fighting for economic development for Maine and across this country. They're looking out for the little guy. So I'm proud of the Democratic leadership that you all have given to this country through your work in Maine. And I thank you for it. And I want to thank (State Dem. Party Chair) Pat Colwell and all of you in the Maine Democratic Party too because a lot of people ask me when I run, uh, when I RAN, they say, "What was the most surprising thing about politics"? And I guess they thought, you know, someone who had been in the military and never done elective office, he'd comment maybe one way or the other about the press, maybe about the cost, maybe about the difficulties of getting funds and so forth, but that's not what struck Gert or me.
We spent our adult lives in public service, and we appreciated the fact that the men and women in uniform, believe in this country, and sacrifice for this country and serve this country. And what we found were the kindred spirits in politics. The hundreds of thousands of Americans who believe in this country, and serve this country and are committed to this country's future because they give tirelessly and selflessly of themselves through politics. It's what keeps this country strong and alive and a democracy. I want you to give yourselves a big hand for your service to this country. We need you out there.
So the challenges are ahead, we know what they are. We've got the values, we've got the convictions, we've got the experience, we've got everything it takes to take this country forward, we Democrats. Now, LET'S GET MOVING, in Maine, in 2006, and then beyond. Let's get our values and our principles and our people up front and out there. And let's get them in office and let's lead this country forward. Thank you so much, and it's great to be with you. Thank you.
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