“America is an idea … we promise equal opportunity, not equal outcomes” (and h2k’s open thread)
By Bronwyn on August 14, 2012 at 11:30 AM in Current Affairs
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I transcribed what Paul Ryan said:
“What I’ve heard lately, that’s what troubles me the most. There’s something different in their voice, in their words. What I hear from them is diminished dreams, lowered expectations, uncertain futures. I hear some people say that this is just ‘the new normal’. Higher unemployment, declining incomes and crushing debt is NOT a new normal.
“America is more than just a place. America is an idea. It’s the only country founded ON an idea. Our rights come from nature and God, not from government. … We promise equal opportunity, not equal outcomes. And this idea was founded on the principles of freedom, free enterprise, self-determination and government by CONSENT of the governed.”
The transcript is directly from the above video clip posted at Morning Joe’s Web site, August 12, 2012. The clip does not include a transcript or a description of the location at which Paul Ryan made this speech. If any of you can pinpoint where Ryan said these words, please note it in a comment.
However, I also searched the campaign site‘s extensive collection of all things Romney/Ryan. My first stop was News/Speeches, where the campaign has posted Paul Ryan’s August 11, 2012 speech in Norfolk, Virginia, when he was officially introduced by Mitt Romney as his running mate.
In the excerpts below from the August 11th speech, Ryan made similar remarks, but you’ll see that Ryan has since altered the phrasing. Perfectionist that he is, Ryan is testing how he expresses the theme that is the heart and soul of Ryan’s working philosophy.
“Working philosophy.” You’ll note, and know why, I didn’t type “philosophy,” sans adjective. That’s because Paul Ryan is not a day-dreaming part-time lecturer who wasted spent most of his time chewing the fat in a university faculty lounge.
Paul Ryan actually practices what he preaches. Amazingly, Ryan even writes his “working philosophy” into the budget bills that he writes.
Furthermore, Ryan authored a “blueprint” that we can all read: “A ROADMAP FOR AMERICA’S FUTURE — BUDGET COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS” (via House.gov).
Now, the excerpts from Ryan’s August 11, 2012 speech. I’ve italicized or bold-faced the phrases similar to the newer speech in the above video. This proves that Ryan is continuing to “try on” the optimal phrasing to use in his as-yet embryonic stump speech.
[...]
I represent a part of America that includes inner cities, rural areas, suburbs and factory towns. Over the years I have seen and heard from a lot from families, from those running small businesses, and from people who are in need. But what I have heard lately troubles me the most. There is something different in their voice and in their words. What I hear from them are diminished dreams, lowered expectations, uncertain futures.
I hear some people say that this is just “the new normal.” High unemployment, declining incomes and crushing debt is not a new normal. It’s the result of misguided policies. And next January, our economy will begin a comeback with the Romney Plan for a Stronger Middle Class that will lead to more jobs and more take home pay for working Americans.
America is on the wrong track; but Mitt Romney and I will take the right steps, in the right time, to get us back on the right track!
In the section omitted, Ryan details Governor Romney’s proven track record as an executive who can turn businesses around and who can build businesses from infancy, including Staples, Bright Horizons and Sports Authority, to name a few.
If you missed my post about how Mitt Romney and Bain Capital grew Bright Horizons, the national (actually international) corporate daycare enterprise from an “idea” discussed around a kitchen table, please see my July 19 post, “First lady Michelle Obama sought out, lauded Bain-funded nationwide child care centers.”
Not surprisingly, the media haven’t reported about the First Lady’s speech that could, and should, come back to haunt Team Obama.
Now, we return to the similarities in the August 11th speech:
[...]
But America is more than just a place…it’s an idea. It’s the only country founded on an idea. Our rights come from nature and God, not government. We promise equal opportunity, not equal outcomes.
This idea is founded on the principles of liberty, freedom, free enterprise, self-determination and government by consent of the governed.
This idea is under assault. So, we have a critical decision to make as a nation.
We are on an unsustainable path that is robbing America of our freedom and security. It doesn’t have to be this way.
The commitment Mitt Romney and I make to you is this:
[...]
Read the complete text of Paul Ryan’s August 11, 2012 speech.
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