Obama Second Inauguration epitomizes two-century plus democracy and freedom

Throwing the British imported tea chests to the Boston Harbor in 1773 the natives declaring "No Taxation Without Representation" which sparked off the American revolution followed by the establishment of the Union with freedom, rule of law and constitutional rule, the presidential inauguration that took place Monday installing Barack Obama for the second time clearly epitomized the governance that lasted more than two centuries.

The founding of the American Union became a beacon of hope to the rest of the world spreading freedom, right to dissent, rule of law and justice to all.

President Obama in his second inaugural address at Washington Capitol Hill steps rightfully said "Through blood drawn by lash and blood drawn by sword, we learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half-slave and half-free. We made ourselves anew, and vowed to move forward together".

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts administered the oath of office just before noon Monday.

If some skeptics believed that Barack Obama's first election in 2008 was a 'fluke' that skepticism was erased when he won the second time last November with a landslide victory.

Obama's inaugural address had some very interesting thoughts. One was: "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 200 years, we have".

Talking about human dignity, freedom and rule of law President Obama said -

"We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of arms and rule of law. We will show the courage to try and resolve our differences with other nations peacefully — not because we are naïve about the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift suspicion and fear. America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe; and we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad, for no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation. We will support democracy from Asia to Africa; from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom. And we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice — not out of mere charity, but because peace in our time requires the constant advance of those principles that our common creed describes: tolerance and opportunity; human dignity and justice".

Speaking about social justice he noted -

"For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that America's prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American, she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own".

Advocating united effort to build the nation Mr. Obama reminded "For now decisions are upon us, and we cannot afford delay. We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate. We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect. We must act, knowing that today's victories will be only partial, and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years, and 40 years, and four hundred years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall".

A very colorful parade in Washington, D.C. captured everyone's attention. Despite a far less crowd attended the Second Inauguration hundreds of thousands of people came to Washington, Monday, to witness President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.

There were two Presidential Balls in the evening.

- Asian Tribune -