Welcome to Washington. I hope you soak up some American heritage while you’re here.
If you’ve come to the nation’s capital for today’s “Restoring Honor” rally, I hope you take some time to see the magnificent sights here.
Since you’ll be right there at the Lincoln Memorial, climb the steps and read some of the words of that great American: “With malice toward none; with charity for all.”
Once you’re finished, you might want to walk over to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. I know you’ve been told he was a socialist, but quite a few of you appear to be old enough to collect Social Security checks, so you reallyowe him a visit. Once you’re finished hearing today’s message of fear, maybe you should read his words: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Just keep on walking past the FDR Memorial and visit the Jefferson Memorial. In case you hear anyone today claiming or suggesting that the United States is a Christian nation, you should read his words: “No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion.”
It’s a long walk to the National Archives from there, but I hope you make it (I know you’ve been warned not to take the Green and Yellow lines, but they do stop there if you’re brave enough). There you’ll find the U.S. Constitution. Please read at least the Preamble, which explains the founding of our nation:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
It’s right there: The general welfare is most certainly the business of the federal government. You might not have heard that in today’s speeches.
I know you heard Sarah Palin today. She’s made some noise recently about the First Amendment. So maybe you should walk past the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue. There you can read the amendment’s 45 eloquent words:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
If you happen to see Palin or her friend Laura Schlessinger, you might want to point out that it doesn’t grant freedom from criticism.
I’m glad you came to our nation’s capital. I hope you enjoy your visit and learn a little about our nation and its heritage.
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