This was an interesting line from Barack Obama’s speech in Strasbourg, France on Friday April 3, 2009.
Barack Obama reveals a bizarre understanding of American values:
We know that transformational change is possible. We know this because of three reasons: First, because, for all our differences, there are certain values that bind us together and reveal our common humanity: the universal longing to live a life free from fear, and free from want; a life marked by dignity and respect and simple justice.
Our two republics were founded in service of these ideals. In America, it is written into our founding documents as “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” In France: “Liberté” — (applause) — absolutely — “egalité, fraternité.” (Applause.) Our moral authority is derived from the fact that generations of our citizens have fought and bled to uphold these values in our nations and others.
So freedom from “fear” and “want” are Western values that bind us together?
Since when? That’s kind of bizarre.
Is that what separates America from China or Saudi Arabia?
Freedom from “want” and “simple justice” sound more like something Karl Marx would say than George Washington.
In fact, it looks like he took the line from none other than failed UN General Secretary Kofi Annan:
Women themselves have the right to live in dignity, in freedom from want and freedom from fear.”
Just what exactly is Obama talking about here?
Does he even know what he’s saying?
UPDATE: Charles Krauthammer also hammered Obama for his America-bashing remarks from his speech in Strasbourg, France:
Hat Tip Chisum