ClarkCast 001 - A Beacon of Hope
transcript by Reg NYC

Hello, this is Wes Clark. Thanks for joining us today.

I believe that as citizens, we've got a duty to keep up with current events and participate in our political process. Of course, our lives are busy. Time is short, but that's why we're using podcasting technology. This will help us bridge the gap between the time we have and the time we need.

In this talk, I don't want to be partisan, because solving our nation's problems takes all of us working together. I do believe that you have to put the country before the party, but the current administration and the Congress are part of the problem, and I'm going to have to call it like I see it. The government should work for the people who elect its officials and who pay the taxes to fund it. It seems to me that in the past six years, the people have been working for the government. The government doesn't explain itself. The government doesn't encourage open debate. It's a take-it-or-leave it attitude, and it's dangerous for our country.

You know, the American government works best in an atmosphere of openness and accountability. We've not had this over the past years, and it shows in the American people's attitudes toward Washington. Congress and the President are suffering through low public approval ratings and ebbing voter confidence. Why? Maybe it's because for six years, the President and his one-party Congress have put special interest above national interest. They've looked at budget deficits, pork-barrel spending and official misconduct. They looked them right in the face, and they're continuing and bankrupting our future. Maybe it's because the American government's now sealed records, cut short investigations, invoked Executive Privilege and shut the American people out of our own governments, creating one of the most secretive presidencies in our nation's history. Maybe it's because the lack of humility and reflection on mistakes in Iraq are impeding our ability to turn things around and succeed there.

I hope that over the course of our relationship through podcasting, we can work together to fulfill our civic duty to be informed and to participate in our Democracy and to help make our government better. So, have a listen. Visit our website www.securingamerica.com to learn more and send us your questions.

It's helpful in the dialog for me to explain my world view and a little bit about how I developed it. So, let me start with a true story. A few weeks ago, I was riding into Manhattan across the Queensborough Bridge in a cab. The cabdriver, he just couldn't stop talking, and he told me his story about, about coming to America. And it really, it made me really appreciate again how much I love this country. Here's what the cabdriver said: He said, "We came," he said, "as three brothers nine years ago." He said, "I'm still driving a cab, but I'm the only one still driving a cab. We own a store. We own a restaurant, and soon I'll join the others full-time in the restaurant." When he- "When we came here," he said, "we had nothing, but today we are something." He said, "Only in America could we do this, only in America."

Well, it was his true story, and it's the story of millions of us. We've done it ourselves. We've benefitted from it through our forefathers' effort. We had people who dreamed and dared and planned, and they struggled to forge new lives, raise strong families, and together, generation after generation, Americans have come together to build a great nation. It's an exceptional nation. It's, it's unique. We're a nation where liberty is protected by the Constitution, a nation where people chose their own leaders to be sure, but even more importantly, it's a nation where government's power is limited by design. Generation after generation, Americans have throttled the self-serving impulses of the powerful. They've restrained the powerful passions of the multitudes, and they've guaranteed freedom and opportunity for every citizen. This is the process that's made America a beacon of hope for people everywhere - limited government.

I learned to love this nation as a youngster growing up at a when all our institutions and values were under attack by Communism. I love this nation enough to serve it as a soldier, to come home from Vietnam on a stretcher and stay with the Army in uniform for another thirty years. I was so proud to represent this country by wearing that uniform, and that's why I'm speaking out today, not in a spirit of partisanship, but because our nation is in trouble. We're veering from our heritage. We're sliding into a dangerous future. It doesn't have to happen this way, but we can only change the course if we speak honestly and directly about what's gone wrong and why it's gone wrong and how we must change. And then we are going to have to reach across party lines to bring the American people together.

Today, billions of people around the world believe that Americans' beacon of hope is fading, that America's time is passing, that America's star is setting. Why? Why do they believe that? Maybe because four years after 9/11, Osama Bin Laden remains on the loose, and Al Qaeda remains a potent force among millions of Muslims. Maybe because the threat of terrorism has actually increased, partly as a result of the unnecessary invasion of Iraq. Maybe because despite all our talk about countering nuclear proliferation, we haven't done much about it with North Korea or Iran or even in working hard on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Maybe because in this struggle, which some are calling a long war, we're in danger of losing the very principles we're fighting for as revelations of torture and degrading treatment of those who are detained confound our long-standing commitment to human rights and undercut our moral strength and leadership. Maybe it's because these people see rising global competitors like China, who are taking advantage of the security umbrella we've created to lock in their own access to resources needed to fuel stupendous growth. Maybe it's because our allies are questioning America's commitments to the dialog, institutions and principles that kept us safe throughout the Cold War and even helped end ethnic cleansing in Europe during the 1990s. The plain truth is: Since 9/11, we've made more enemies than friends in the world, and that's no way to protect the American people.

And here at home, to speak candidly, the beacon of hope is flickering also, and again we ask why. Because were losing our manufacturing base in America. Because jobs are moving abroad with big corporations seeking new talent, lower cost labor, less competitive, friendlier business environments. Because 45 million Americans lack access to health insurance, a profound systemic failure that imposes a staggering human cost on those least able to bear it and drives businesses off shore. Because our infrastructure, our system of public education lack essential modernization and reform. Because this nation still has no policy to lead us to energy independence and away from the world's most volatile and conflict-ridden regions. Because failing to protect the environment and natural resources, even as the administration has tightened restrictions on the scientists and analysts who could tell us of the dangers abroad, is the height of hypocrisy

So, how do we turn things around now, before it's too late? First, I believe we've got to set things right at home. Protecting our Constitution comes first - country before party. Congress needs to show resolve that the laws it passes do bind the Executive Branch - wire-tapping, humane treatment of prisoners, and the Freedom of Information Act. It's time for a Special Prosecutor, independent of the Department of Justice to be empowered to investigate fully the Abramoff scandal. We've got to invest in public education and healthcare and create a business environment that encourages innovation, growth and the creation of meaningful, valued jobs. We need to redirect the main thrusts of America's efforts abroad. We've got to rebuild our ties with Europe, strengthen ties with India - the world's largest democracy, rebuild the system of international laws and institutions which two generations of American leaders fashioned and extolled, and we've got to lead in the reform of the United Nations.

Fellow Americans, although our nation is incredibly wealthy and uniquely powerful, we are at an historic turning point. Will we choose to emphasize boastful rhetoric or constructive engagement abroad? Will we lash out in anger with military force, or will we pursue every reasonable avenue to avoid the terrible consequences of war? Will we fight fire with fire, relying on the means and techniques of our adversaries, or will we live and lead by the higher standard of the values we possess? At home, will we persist in short-sighted partisanship, or will we follow a stronger vision to the deep reforms needed to secure our future? Will it be selfishness or teamwork that's our rallying cry? These are choices. They're choices before us.

I believe that America's beacon of hope must shine brightly once more, lighting our beloved country and illuminating the whole world. And if we choose wisely, it will.