Save our democracy, says Obama during his farewell speech

Our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted, he says.

January 11, 2017 07:36 am | Updated 10:08 am IST

U.S. President Barack Obama wipes away tears while speaking during his farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tuesday.

U.S. President Barack Obama wipes away tears while speaking during his farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tuesday.

In his parting message to the nation, President Barack Obama declares his continued faith in the ability of all Americans to bring about powerful national change, despite the trials of the last eight years that so often stood between him and his goals.

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8:30 IST

I am asking you to hold fast to that a written into our founding documents, that ideal whisper that slaves and abolitionists, that spirit song by immigrants and homesteaders and those who march for justice.

That Creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefield to the surface of the moon, and decree of the core of every American who story is not yet written -- yes, we can.

Yes, we did. Yes, we can. Thank You. God bless you. And may God continue to bless the United States of America. Thank You.

8:28 IST

My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you. I won't stop. And backed, I'll be right there with you as a citizen for all my remaining days. But for now, whether you are young or whether you're young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your president.

The same thing I asked we took a chance in the eight years ago, I am asking you to believe, not in my ability to bring about change but in yours.

8:27 IST

Let me tell you, this generation coming up -- unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic. You believe in a fair and just and inclusive America. You know the constant change has been America's hallmark, that is not something to fear but something to embrace. You are willing to carry this hard work of democracy forward. You'll soon outnumber all of us, and I believe, as a result, the future is in good hands.

8:26 IST

You can. And that's why leave the stage tonight even more optimistic about this country that we started. Because I know our work has not only helped so many Americans, it has inspired so many Americans.  To believe that you can make a difference, to hitch your wagon to something bigger than yourself.

8:25 IST

And all of you out there -- every organizer who moved to an unfamiliar town, every kind family to welcome them and, every volunteer who knocked on doors, every young person who cast a ballot for the first time, every American who live and breathe the hard work that change, you are the best supporters and organizers anybody could ever hope for. And I will be forever grateful because you did change the world.

8:24 IST

To my remarkable staff, for eight years and for some of you a whole lot more, I have drawn from your energy. And every day, I tried to reflect back what you display -- heart and character and idealism. I watch you grow up, get married, raise kids, start incredible journeys of your own.

Even when times are tough and frustrating, you never let Washington get the better of you. You guard against cynicism. And the only thing that makes me prouder than all the good that we've done is he thought of all the amazing things that you are going to achieve from here.

8:22 IST

Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton, became Delaware's favorite son. You were the first decision I made as a nominee, and it was the best. Not just because you have been a great vice president but because in the bargain I gained a brother. And we love you and Jill like family, and your friendship as the one the great joys of our lives.

8:21 IST

Malia and Sasha (his daughters), under the strangest of circumstances, you have become too amazing young women. You are smart and you are beautiful. But more unfortunately for more, kind and you are thoughtful and you are full of passion. Endure the burden of years you wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad.

8:20 IST

Obama lavishes praise on wife Michelle. "Michelle LeBon Robinson, girl of the south side -- For the past twenty five years, you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend."

"You took on a role you didn't ask for. And you made it your own. With grace and would grant and with style and good humour. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. So you have made me proud and you have made the country proud."

8:19 IST

If something needs fixing, them lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures and run for office yourself.

And there will be times when the process will disappoint you. But for those of us fortunate enough to have been part of this work and to see up close, let me tell you -- it can energize and inspire.

8:18 IST

So you see, that's what our democracy demands. It needs you. Not just win that election, not just when your own narrow interest is at stake but over the full span of a lifetime. If you're tired of arguing with dangers on the Internet, tried talking with one of them in real life.

8:17 IST

When we write off the whole system has inevitably corrupt and when we sit back and blame the leaders we elect without examining our own role in electing them. It falls to each of us to be those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy. To embrace the joyous task we've been given, to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. Because for all outward differences, we in fact all share the same proud title, the most important office in a democracy — citizen.

8:16 IST

America, when we can those times when we allow our political dialogue to become so corrosive that people of good character are even willing aren't even willing to enter into public surface, so course would break, Americans with whom we disagree I say not only is this misguided but as malevolent.

8:15 IST

But remember, none of this happens on its own. All of this depends on our participation, on each of us accepting the responsibility of citizenship, regardless of which way the pendulum of power happens to be swinging. Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift.

But it's really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give it power. We, the people, give it meaning.

8:14 IST

When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service.

When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our congressional districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes.

8:13 IST

Countries like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world unless we give up what we stand for and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbours. Which brings me to my final point, our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted.

8:12 IST

And that's why we cannot withdraw from big global fights to expand his democracy and human rights and women's rights in LGBT rights, no matter how imperfect our efforts, no matter how expedient ignoring such values may seem. That's part of defending America.

8:10 IST

And that's why, were the past eight years, I worked to put the fight against terrorism on a firmer legal footing. That's why we've ended torture, work to close Gitmo, reform laws governing surveillance to protect privacy, and civil liberties. That's why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans who are just as patriotic as we are.

8:09 IST

But protecting our way of life, that's not just the job of our military. Democracy can buckle when they give into fear. So just as we as citizens must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are.

8:08 IST

Know a foreign terrorist organization after carefully planned and executed an attack on our homeland these past eight years? And although Boston and Orlando and San Bernardino and Fort Hood remind us of how dangerous radicalization can be our law enforcement agencies are more effective and vigilant than ever. We have taken out tens of thousands of terrorists.

8:07 IST

To peril each poses to our democracy is more far-reaching than a car bomb or a missile.They represent the fear of change. The fear of people who look or speak or pray differently, and contempt for the rule of law that hold leaders accountable. And intolerant of dissent and free thought.

8:06 IST

Take the challenge of climate change. In just eight years, we've have reduced our dependence on foreign oil. We've doubled our renewable energy. We lead the world to an agreement that has the promise to save this planet. But without bolder action, our children won't have time to debate the existence of climate change. They’ll be busy dealing with its effects.

8:05 IST

Is not justice honest, the selective sorting of the facts, it self-defeating. Because, as my mummy  tells me, reality has a way of catching up with you.

8:04 IST

And well make common ground and cover my impossible. And in that part of what so often makes politics dispiriting? How can elected officials wage about absolute propose to spend money on preschools for kids but not over cutting taxes for corporations?

8:03 IST

By without some common baseline effects, without a willingness to admit new information I can see that your opponent might be making a fair point and that science and reason matter, then we're going to keep talking past each other.

8:02 IST

The rise of naked partisanship increasing economic and regional stratification, the splintering of our media in a channel for every taste -- all this makes this great sorting seem natural.

We become so secure and our bubbles that we start accepting only information, what is true or not that it are opinions presented facing our opinions on the evidence that is out there.

8:01 IST

 We all have to start with the premise that each of our fellow citizens loves this country just as much as we do, that they value hard work and family just like we do. That their children are just as curious and hopeful and worthy of love as our own.

8:00 IST

For native-born Americans, it means reminding ourselves of the stereotypes about immigrants today were set almost word for word about the Irish and Italians and Poles, who it was said were going to destroy the fundamental character of America. And as it turned out, America wasn't weakened by the presence of these newcomers. These newcomers embraced this nation's Creed and the station was strengthened.

7:58 IST

For Blacks and other minority groups, that means tie our own very real struggles for justice to the challenges that a lot of people in this country face, not only the refugee or the immigrant or the rural poor or the transgender American but also the middle-aged white guy who, from the outside may seem like he's got advantages but has seen his world upended by economic and cultural and technological change. We have to pay attention and listen.

For white Americans, it means acknowledging that the effects of slavery and Jim Crow didn't suddenly vanish in the sixties.

7:57 IST

That is what our Constitution and our highest ideals require. The laws alone won't be enough. Heart must change. They won't change overnight. Social attitudes oftentimes take generations to change.

7:56 IST

And we have shown that our economy doesn't have to be a zero-sum game. Last year, income rose for all races, all age groups, for men and for women. So ever going to be serious about race going forward, we need to uphold laws against discrimination in hiring and in housing and education and in the criminal justice system.

7:55 IST

If we're unwilling to invest in the children of immigrants just because they don't look like us, we will diminish the prospects of our own children because those brown kids will represent a larger and larger share of America's workforce.

7:54 IST

If every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hard-working white middle class and an undeserving minority, then workers of all shades are going to be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves.

7:53 IST

After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America. And such a vision, however well intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent. And often divisive force in our society. Now I've lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were ten or twenty or thirty years ago, no matter what some folks say.

7:52 IST

Now there no quick basic fixes to this long-term trend. I agree, our trade should be fair and not just free. But the next wave of economic dislocations won't come from overseas. It will come from the relentless pace of automation that makes a lot of good middle-class jobs obsolete.

7:51 IST

There have been moments there a history, moments third industry that have threatened. That solidarity. And the beginning of the century has been one of those times.

7:50 IST

Only if all of us regardless of party affiliation or particular interests, help restore the sense of common purpose, that we so badly need right now. That's what I want to focus on tonight. The state of our democracy.

7:47 IST

If I have told you eight years ago, that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry, and unleashed the longest stretch of job creation in our history,

7:45 IST

He stresses the importance to save democracy but quickly warns "in a democracy, we rise together and fall together."

7:42 IST

“I committed to president-elect Trump that my team would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as president Bush did to me.   Because it’s up to all of us to make sure our government can meet the many challenges we still face,” he says.

7:40 IST

He lists out his accomplishments from lowering unemployment to shutting down Iran's nuclear programme and says "America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started."

7:37 IST

A great gift our Founders gave us. The freedom to chase our individual dreams through our sweat, toil, and imagination.

7:35 IST

I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it. Every day, I have learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.

7:34 IST

So I first came to Chicago when I was in my early twenties, still trying to figure out who I was; still searching for a purpose to my life.  It was the neighborhood not far from here where I began working with church groups in the shadows of closed steel mills.  It was on these streets where I witnessed the power of faith, and the quiet dignity of working people in the face of struggle and loss.  Now this is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it.

7:32 IST

"You can tell I'm a lame duck because nobody is following instructions," says Obama when crowd doesn't settle down quickly. Crowd keeps shouting "one more term"

7:30 IST

My fellow Americans, Michelle and I have been so touched by all the well wishes we have received in the past few weeks, tonight its my time to say thanks: Obama

 

 

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