A Mesage to America from the President of France

French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke on November 7^th to a joint session of Congress. His remarks were perceptive, insightful and extremely well received. His ascendancy to the office of French President has marked a transition to a much more productive social, cultural and political connection between the United States and France.

Anyone who is knowledgeable of American history does not need to be reminded that it was France that provided the critical support during the Revolutionary War which enabled the United States to prevail and subsequently to develop into the great nation that we are today.

Sarkozy quoted Lafayette, who upon his arrival, said to George Washington, "I have come to learn, not to teach." Lafayette then proceeded to provide great assistance to our fledgling nation and is frequently credited for his significant contributions to our successful founding.

Sarkozy, like Lafayette, came before our leaders and eloquently reminded us of our destiny, history and character. While his speech reminded America of the contributions of France to our historic heritage, it was his expression of the eternal gratitude to American veterans from the French people for help in two world wars and the subsequent rebuilding of Europe after World War II, under the Marshall Plan, that is worthy of reflection.

This excerpt from his speech should be mandatory reading throughout American households and classrooms as a reminder of our history and character.

"From the very beginning, the American dream meant proving to all mankind that freedom, justice, human rights and democracy were no utopia but were rather the most realistic policy there is and the most likely to improve the fate of each and every person.

America did not tell the millions of men and women who came from every country in the world and who-with their hands, their intelligence and their heart-built the greatest nation in the world: "Come, and everything will be given to you." She said: "Come, and the only limits to what you'll be able to achieve will be your own courage and your own talent." America embodies this extraordinary ability to grant each and every person a second chance.

Here, both the humblest and most illustrious citizens alike know that nothing is owed to them and that everything has to be earned. That's what constitutes the moral value of America. America did not teach men the idea of freedom; she taught them how to practice it. And she fought for this freedom whenever she felt it to be threatened somewhere in the world. It was by watching America grow that men and women understood that freedom was possible.

What made America great was her ability to transform her own dream into hope for all mankind."

Sarkozy continued, "What makes America strong is the strength of this ideal that is shared by all Americans and by all those who love her because they love freedom."

As one who appreciates all that America has given to me, I could not help but think of the words of another French leader, Alexis de Tocqueville who wrote Democracy in America in the early 1800's. Tocqueville toured America during that period and penned these worthy words, "America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

Currently, there is great political debate occurring that centers on the future of America both internally and externally. No leader has yet risen that can merge the many divergent views that exist into a single vision that can be embraced by the majority. Civil engagement and the ability of the American public and political leaders to act together effectively to pursue the shared objective of insuring America is the beacon of democracy freedom in the world seems to have evolved into a bitter discourse that serves only destructive purposes.

Global terrorism and extremism, nuclear proliferation, looming environmental problems, internal immigration issues and a host of other issues threaten to permanently polarize America and cripple our ability to move forward. Is there a political leader that can unite our nation and outline a course of action that will enable us to chart the proper course?

I, for one am often dismayed by the meanderings of public opinion, the recalcitrance of various interest groups to seek common ground, the lack of politicians to provide solutions that serve the greatest good instead of the politically powerful and the constant destructive criticism of our news reporters and commentators that seem to use freedom of speech as a weapon of mass destruction instead of a vehicle to inform and educate.

I take heart in the words of Sarkozy. Strange, that it would take foreigner to remind America of her strength. He reminded all Americans that, "What made America great was her ability to transform her own dream into hope for all mankind." History has revealed that goodness will ultimately prevail, even when faced with great evil. Let us all hope that in fact the American dream can be revitalized, revealed and embraced by the world and most importantly by the American citizenry.

Perhaps it is fitting that on Veterans Day, America is reminded of her goodness and greatness because our survival has depended on those that would sacrifice not only to protect our nation, but to protect freedom, democracy and oppressed people throughout the world.