50 Years Ago

Fifty years ago today, President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address contained -- famously -- the following passages:

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans -- born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility -- I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.

Is it too much to say that the Democratic Party of today would find these sentiments from its greatest hero anathema?   Patriotism?  Perseverance?  Self-sacrifice?   They are not to be found in the party of Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama and their like.  To them, America is a a source of evil in the world, a racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic, imperialistic stain on a planet that, without America, would inevitably be green and pure and happy and peaceful utopia. 

Johnny, where are you when we need you?  

Oh, and by the way, here is JFK on taxes:

It is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now ... Cutting taxes now is not to incur a budget deficit, but to achieve the more prosperous, expanding economy which can bring a budget surplus.

Hmmmm.... would JFK be a Republican now?  


And these: