Radio Address: Hobbins says we need to tap in to our forefathers' hope and strengthen to create roadmap of prosperity for our future

Sen. Hobbins Weekly Radio Address-July 7

Good Morning. This is Senate Democratic Leader Barry Hobbins of Saco. Thank you for tuning in.

This is an exciting time of year when we celebrate and reflect on the greatness of our nation. Like many of you, I spent the Fourth of July surrounded by friends and family. I participated in a number of celebrations from barbeques to watching fireworks. But it is so much more than a day of good eating and fanfare. It is the most patriotic holiday America has to celebrate. It’s the celebration of the birth of our nation.

We need to remember all that it took to gain our independence in the first place—the sacrifice, courage, and determination. Our independence was not inevitable. Yet our nation’s founders never gave up. Their perseverance illustrates one of the cornerstones of American values: that we, as Americans are the authors of our own destiny. Because of our freedom, we are given a chance to do things our own way. That legacy of success, that legacy of courage, and that legacy of strength have lived on.

During challenging times, our nation’s greatest leaders have always returned to the fight for our Independence and all that came with it for a reason: it was a time filled with people who never became hopeless. And so today, here in Maine, as our state climbs out of the worst recession our nation has ever seen, we need to tap in to that hope, strength, courage, and determination. We need opportunities so that we can all climb the ladder of success—and keep it in place so that everyone has a fair shot at getting ahead. Democrats believe Maine people should be working their way into the middle class not getting pushed out. And yet, today, it’s still too hard. Too many Mainers are working harder for less.

In looking forward at what we need to do to create a road map for prosperity, I’m reminded of the speech Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave to Congress in 1941—another time of economic and social struggle for our country. He said, and I quote, “There is nothing mysterious about the foundations of a healthy and strong democracy. The basic things expected by our people are simple: Equality of opportunity for youth and for others. Jobs for those who can work. And security for those who need it.” 

Democrats are working hard so that Maine can be once again a place where we can all raise a family and prosper, where we can live and work, invest and play—so that more Mainers can recoup the American Dream that we grew up believing in—that our forefathers believed in—and that our children should be able to achieve.

Thank you for listening. I’m Senate Democratic Leader Barry Hobbins and I wish you a great weekend.