raythevaluesoftherealamericaiknow.oursuccefulbusineesshowthestrengthofamericancommerce,butthecommunityiritandcontributioofthosebusineesarenotalwaysasvisibleastheirmonetarysucce.someoftheerroneouspicturesofamericaarepaintedbyothers.myfriend,theambaadortochina,tellsmethatsomechinesetextbookstalkofamerica``bullyingtheweakandrepreingthepoor.''''anotherchinesetextbook,publishedjustlastyear,teachesthatecialagentsofthefbiareusedto``repretheworkingpeople.''''
neitheroftheseistrueandwhilethebooksmaybeleftoversfromapreviousera,theyaremisleadingandharmful.infact,americafeelaecialreoibilityforthepoorandtheweak.ourgovernmentendsbillioofdollarstoprovidehealthcareandfoodandhousingforthosewhocaothelpthemselvesandevenmoreimportant,manyofourcitizecontributetheirownmoneyandtimetohelpthoseinneed.americancompaionstretcheswaybeyondourborders.wearethenumberoneproviderofhumanitarianaidtopeopleinneedthroughouttheworld.asforthemenandwomenofourfbiandlawenforcement,theyarethemselvesworkingpeoplewhodevotetheirlivestofightingcrimeandcorruption.
mycountrycertainlyhasitsshareofproblemsandfaultlikemostnatiowe''reonalongjourneytowardachievingourownidealsofequalityandjustice.yetthereisareasonournationshinesasabeaconofhopeandoortunity,areasonmanythroughouttheworlddreamofcomingtoamerica.
weareafreenation,wheremenandwomenhavetheoortunitytoachievetheirdreams.nomatteryourbackgroundorcircumstanceofbirth,inamericayoucangetagoodeducation,startabusine,raiseafamily,worshipfreelyandhelpelecttheleadersofyourcommunityandcountry.youcansuortthepoliciesofourgovernment,oryouarefreetoopenlydisagreewiththem.thosewhofearfreedomsometimesargueitcouldleadtochaos,butitdoesnot,becausefreedommeamorethaneverymanforhimself.
libertygivesourcitizemanyrights,yetexpectsthemtoexerciseimportantreoibilities.ourlibertyisgivend