By Contributing Writer, Smileys Pundit

[The inaugural address of John F. Kennedy stands out for its eloquence.  The substance of that address is far different from the ideas of our current, also eloquent, president.  I sometimes wondered what JFK's address would have looked like had it been given by Barack Obama.  I think it might have read like this.]  

            [My Fellow Americans], we observe today not a celebration of state, but a victory of progressivism-symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning-signifying hope, as well as change.  For I have sworn before you and whatever Supreme Being may exist the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed while they were still waiting for Us.

            The world is very different now.  For humankind holds in its mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of economic inequality and all forms of human, animal and plant life.  And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our progressive forebears fought are still at issue around the globe-the belief that the entitlements of the masses come not from the hand of God but from the generosity of an enlightened state.

            We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of the progressive movement.  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-taking power in this century, frightened by war, intimidated by a hard and bitter peace, ashamed of our typically white heritage-and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those rights to government programs 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 discount any price, shirk any burden, evade any hardship, betray any friend, appease any foe, in order to assure the avoidance of responsibility for the integrity and safety of any nation not governed by a progressive leader.

            This much we pledge-and more.

            To those old allies on the left, whose cultural and secular origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful comrades.  United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures.  Divided, there is little we can do-for we dare not meet the vast right-wing conspiracy at odds and split asunder.

            To those new progressive States whom we welcome to the ranks of the enlightened, we pledge our word that colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron capitalist tyranny.  We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view.  But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own revolution-and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly clung to their guns ended up having them confiscated.

            To those peoples, including my brother, in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves to our money, by drastically curbing greenhouse gas emissions while they do not, for whatever period is required-not because nobody else is doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is egalitarian.  If a progressive society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot and should not save the few who are rich.

            To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge-to convert our good words into good deeds-by helping progressive leaders stay in office beyond their constitutional terms of office and by accepting their stifling of reactionary opposition, no matter how widespread-to assist progressive leaders and governments in casting off the chains of capitalist oppression.  But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers.  Let all our progressive neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose reaction or opposition anywhere in the Americas.  And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to generate its own progressive leaders.

            To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support-to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective-to strengthen its shield of the new potential nuclear powers, i.e. Iran and North Korea and the weak, i.e. the Palestinians-and to enlarge the area in which its writ circumscribing the actions of the greedy existing nuclear powers seeking to preserve their oligarchy, may run.

            Finally, to those nations who have wrongly perceived themselves as our adversary, due to the failed policies of my predecessor, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

            We dare not provoke them with excessive armaments and unilateral diplomacy.  For only when our apologies and concessions are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that the adversary relationship is not our fault.

            But neither can great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course-overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, rightly alarmed by the spread of the deadly atom into the hands of those who have threatened war with newly developed weapons, yet unwilling to prevent that deadly spread.

            So let us hit the reset button-remembering on our side that civility and apology are not signs of weakness, and the sincerity of apologies is always subject to proof.  Let us never concede out of fear.  But let us never fear to concede.

            Let us and potential new nuclear powers explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

            We will formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms-beginning with our own-and bring the U.S. power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.

            Let all nations seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, reduce our carbon footprint, eradicate climate change, and encourage the arts and commerce in environmentally friendly ways.

            Let all unite to heed in all corners of the earth the commands of an ancient prophet-to "undo the heavy burdens...and to let the oppressed go free."

And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let all join in creating a new world of law, where the strong are controlled, and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

            All this must be finished in the first 100 days; if not, then in the first 1,000 days; but certainly in the first term of this administration; and extended forever on this planet.  Let us begin.

            In my hands, my fellow citizens, more than in yours, will rest the final success or failure of our course.  Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its duty as citizens of the world.  The hopes of young Americans answering the call to world service surround the globe.

            Now the trumpet summons us again-not as a call to bear arms, because arms are evil; not as a call to battle, which is to be avoided at all costs-but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"-a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, financial inequality, and war itself.

            Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all humanity?  Will you join in that historic effort?

            In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of advancing revolution in its hour of maximum need.  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 Hope, 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 as fully as an Olympic torch, even though it will be harder to see from Rio than from Chicago.

            And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you-I will show you all that it can and should do.  Those of you who are wealthy, do not ask what you can do for your country-I will tell you: pay higher taxes as your fair share; show your patriotism by allowing us to spread your wealth around.

            My fellow citizens of the world: ask what America will do for you and what together we can to for the equalization of humankind.

            Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of benefit which we have told you to expect of Us, the Ones we have all been waiting for.  With equality our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we have just now with my election begun to love, asking the blessing of history and the Media's help, but knowing that here on earth the progressive movement's work must truly be our own.