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Obama Argues for More Government Using…the Constitution?

Jan. 21, 2013 1:15pm Mytheos Holt

President Obama Defends Liberal Vision Using Constitution In Second Inaugural ADdress

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 21: U.S. President Barack Obama gives his inauguration address during the public ceremonial inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States. Credit: Getty Images

President Barack Obama’s inaugural address could easily have been a piece of conventional Left-leaning boilerplate. Instead, he apparently wanted to make the case of his governing vision in the least predictable way possible – namely, by tying it to the favorite weapon of his critics, the United States Constitution.

In the very first sentence of his address, Obama paid tribute to this document, using its continued relevance as a springboard to argue for his agenda.

“Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution,” Obama said. ”We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional – what makes us American – is our allegiance to an idea, articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Obama continued:

“Today we continue a never-ending journey, to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they have never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth. The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob. They gave to us a Republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed. For more than two hundred years, we have.”

Listeners who, at this point, might have been wondering if the President had picked up a copy of an old Ronald Reagan inaugural address by mistake, were quickly set right, as Obama pivoted to describing some of the ways that America’s “founding creed” had been “kept safe.”

“Together, we determined that a modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce; schools and colleges to train our workers,” Obama said. “Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play. Together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune.”

What did these innovations have to do with the Constitution? Obama did not specify. In fact, as the speech went on, he seemed more interested in describing the ways in which deviation from the spirit of the Founders was, in fact, the most consistent way to follow the constitutional spirit. For instance, at one point, Obama practically seemed to elevate the communitarian spirit of his 2012 campaign pronouncement “You didn’t build that” into a constitutional principle (emphasis added):

“But we have always understood that when times change, so must we; that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges; that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action. For the American people can no more meet the demands of today’s world by acting alone than American soldiers could have met the forces of fascism or communism with muskets and militias. No single person can train all the math and science teachers we’ll need to equip our children for the future, or build the roads and networks and research labs that will bring new jobs and businesses to our shores. Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation, and one people.”

This passage, as it turns out, was also the last to tether Obama’s vision to the Constitution. Watch video of the President’s unusual bit of rhetorical sleight of hand below:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (90)

jessieH
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 2:21pm
An oxymoron from a moron.

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oldincarolina
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 10:42am
We should not look at what Obama says , look at what he does.

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truthnstuff
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 11:04pm
Once again bath house Barry proves that he is either the stupidest man on the planet, or a POS Marxist.

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Disgusted_in_CT
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 8:13pm
Barry says “But we have always understood that when times change, so must we; that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges; that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action.”

Reading between the lines, those who have it must give it up to those who don’t because this is a collective action.
I’m going to force you to help other people in the form of taxes.
I well take your money and spread the wealth around.
I well do this by using healthcare as my model and expand on this.
I well take your weapons so only the government has weapons and you well have not choice but to comply.
After all you didn’t build that, The government did so it truly doesn’t belong to you and your a racist hater if you well not give up what is yours to those who are in need.

Two words to you barry “**** YOU”

I well keep what I have worked hard for all my life, and the only people it is going to is my family.
Not the section 8, food stamp person down the road.

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tacticalobserver.com
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 7:51pm
Over the next four years, we will no longer recognize the Constitution as we know it now. President Obama will continue to change the way we live, and our freedoms will slowly be taken from us. Our country is in jeopardy until Obama is out of the White House.

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Larry E
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 6:03pm
My wee dog has the same understanding of the Constitution that Obama does. Absolutely none!

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SGT Rock
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 6:00pm
The Dear Leader has spoken, I cannot wait till we have 40 foot pictures of him on our buildings, that’s what all great Dictators do.

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John2261
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 5:38pm
encinom- your poor soul is lost. Your budy the dictator in chief Mr. Obama is nothing short of a communist and the enemy within. God help you and this country for because of the nitwhits like you and the dictator this country is going to hell in a hand basket.

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zoro51
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 4:39pm
this IS NOT A DICTATORSHIP its a pre3sendcy.. CHAIRMAN OBAMA THE SOCIALIST NON AMERICAN BORN PSUDEO DICTATOR will use ANY means to LIE to america and stomp on the us consittution… IMPEACH N REMOVE NOW

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- Xylliab_of_the_Znarghh
  Posted on January 21, 2013 at 5:25pm
  You can’t impeach him. He hasn’t done anything illegal.
  
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Lloyd Drako
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 4:26pm
If ever there was a time in American history when “fidelity to our founding principles require[d] new responses to new challenges,” it was surely in 1787, when 55 men, whose authority was for the most part self-asserted, drafted the US Constitution in order not to WEAKEN but to STRENGTHEN the power of the central government. Obama has captured their spirit quite nicely.

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Brentley
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 4:02pm
@encinom I am guessing you know very little about history or the founding of our country. It has been after many years of not listening that I am awakening. A few months ago I realized that CHRIST DIED FOR MY SINS and now I am A BORN AGAIN BELIEVER. I have been studying and reading. What I have found out will amaze, astonish and humble as you cannot believe.
We were taught CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS came here to find GOLD…..not true. He wanted to spread CHRISTIANITY..BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY throughout the world. Columbus was a BORN AGAIN believer. That is one of the many untold stories of our history.
Our forefathers gave us a REPUBLIC founded ON CHRISTIAN principles. This President believes in NONE of them. If he did, he would abolish ABORTION, would Deny GAY MARRIAGES and he would keep us on path of a balanced budget.
This PRESIDENT has only one thing on his mind, the complete destruction of this country and its founding principles. Make no mistake this man is evil.
I will continue to pray as will my friends that HEARTS are rendered soft that we have a REVIVAL for that is the only way to turn this around. Without a turning to JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOR this ship will sink.
Mark 4:36-40 the story of Jesus sleeping in the ship during the storm. When JESUS is on board and your faith and trust is in him. There is no fear of the ship sinking.
We need him on board we need him as the CAPTAIN. We have left him on shore and now are sailing into a troubled sea. TROUBLE AHE

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bcrogan
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 3:32pm
I admit I drank the Obama cool aid the first election. I thought all the Obama is a radical left wing stories were just GOP propaganda. I was so blind by the fresh faced rock star image. It is so blatant now, comparing his history, affiliations and policy that were not covered by left wing media, that his anti American business, pro Latin American Socialist, ultra Islamic sympathetic, populist, overbearing environmental regulation, job stifling, anti liberty, anti 2nd amendment, big government policies, just how much of an anti-Americanism, pro Western European style socialist he really is. It really is treasonous how mainstream media, CNN, NBC, CBS, MSNBC absolutely refuses to publish stories negative to Obama. No one will publish how he has pushed garbage Green Jobs and Green Tech ( which in the future is needed, and needs to be developed but is not there yet ) while spending billions to help Marxist leaders like Lula in Brazil to expand their oil production, or how he has enacted drastic overbearing and absolutely absurd amounts of regulation on our oil and gas production which could make us the leading oil PRODUCER in the WORLD more than all of OPEC combined. He destroyed NASA, and wants to kill defense spending at a time when Communist aggressive tyrannical China is increasing spending. Yet, every major news outlet discredits everyone who voices this as nut job, fringe, wacko Tea Party weirdos. Its absolute MADNESS what is going on here.

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- truthnstuff
  Posted on January 21, 2013 at 4:05pm
  At least you were simply ignorant of the facts and not unfix-able stupid. The real scary thing is that he is systematically replacing high ranking military personnel so his final grab will not be stopped. Let’s hope there is a patriot left out there.
  
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WYCowboy
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 3:14pm
“The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few”
Nor too replace a Tyrant 3000 miles away with a Tyrant 100 miles away!
The difference Mr President, Privileges in this country are earned, not taken! Or at least they were until recently!

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ninja
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 3:03pm
Under the Nuremberg Laws , Jews were ” allowed to display the Jewish colors. The exercise of this right enjoys the protection of the state.”

Sure, obama believes in our rights, too.

half-black man speak with fork-ed tongue

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marybethelizabeth
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 3:02pm
Mr. Beck echoed the Presidents words on his radio show today.. He said he was ready to leave the United States. He said he only likes America because it’s the best place he knows about.

Mr. Beck doesn’t have any love for America. He is just an opportunist ready to change horses in the middle of the stream, grabbing onto the tail of the front runner.

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- FISH_BONE
  Posted on January 21, 2013 at 3:38pm
  He was comparing the current situation to those who left their homes in search of a better place and established the United States. Try to pay attention next time.
  
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- Lovesmesomeglennbeck
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 1:45am
  People like you, MaryBeth are the reason why that there are morons.
  
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Advection
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 2:44pm
He looks like Hitler.

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jrd4208
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 2:43pm
A black man, an illegal alien, a muslim and a liar walk into a bar. The bartender says….”Can I help you Mr. President?” Lol.

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oldwmn
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 2:39pm
Mike & Mechanics Lyrics Silent running… duck n cover time RED ALERT…..

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bcrogan
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 2:24pm
What a bunch of absolute nonsense. Sorry HERR Obama, the constitution declares in very absolute, plain, un arguable English, “The right of the PEOPLE to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. That means it was granted to everyone and anyone who are citizens of the United States in order to defend our liberties from oppressive tyranny. This is not ” Mob Rule ” or “Rabble”. The Unites States is specifically a Constitutional Republic, not a Democracy in order to protect every citizen from the “Tyranny Of The Majority”. Just because your anti American, socialist, internationalist political views are challenged by Americans who you and your ultra left wing, pro Islam, pro western Europeans” view as being simply stupid gun toting christian Americans, does not reduce them to “Mob Rule” or invalidate their stance against you. You are not the KING. Americanism empowers the people to ultimate rule, not government. You as a lawyer were taught this, and as a commander in chief of the United States were sworn to uphold the American Constitution and Bill Of Rights, and defend us from enemies both foreign and domestic which you have continually failed to do. You have attempted to “Fundamental Change America”, attacked the constitution, hindered job growth. over regulated our corporations with red tape while giving billions to Latin American socialist and allowed China to steal military and trade secrets.

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Uechi
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 2:23pm
Better living through communism brought to you by Karl Marx’s sponsor the Balck Messiah Barry O.There are no words to describe how despicable this poor excuse for a human being is. I look forward with dred too the nightmare that will be the next four (4) years with this filth.

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e7705
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 2:21pm
Get ready for more of this for the rest of your life. The RNC unbelievably signed an agreement 30 years ago to not interfere with (Democrats’) voter fraud.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/14/court-continues-order-targeting-voter-intimidation/

We’re doomed.

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- truthnstuff
  Posted on January 21, 2013 at 4:09pm
  That is one reason why we need a new party. Let’s hope all true conservatives switch to a viable option, Maybe Libertarians can build a Libertarian party platform.
  
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Arshloch
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 2:15pm
You wanted a commie, you voted for the commie, you GOT the commie. Now when you are standing in that bread line remember, stupid is as stupid does.

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