Obama quotes Lincoln: “to do together what we cannot do as well for ourselves.”

[kpete]

AlterNet / By George Lakoff
Obama Returns to his Moral Vision: Democrats Read Carefully!
The President's budget speech presented a straightforward idea of right and wrong that he correctly attributes to the founding of the country.
............

All politics is moral. Political leaders put forth proposals on the assumption that their proposals are the right things to do, not the wrong things to do. But progressives and radical conservatives have very different ideas of right and wrong.

With his April 13, 2011 speech, the President is back with the basic, straightforward idea of right and wrong that he correctly attributes to the founding of the country -- as UCLA historian Lynn Hunt has observed in her important book Inventing Human Rights.

The basic idea is this: Democracy is based on empathy, that is, on citizens caring about each other and acting on that care, taking responsibility not just for themselves but for their families, communities, and their nation. The role of government is to carry out this principle in two ways: protection and empowerment.

Obama quotes Lincoln: “to do together what we cannot do as well for ourselves.” That is what he calls patriotism. He spotlights “the American belief … that each one of us deserves some basic measure of security… that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, hard time or bad luck, crippling illness or a layoff, may strike any one of us.” He cites the religious version of this moral vision: “There but for the grace of God go I.” The greatness of America comes from carrying out such moral commitments as Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid.

the rest:
http://www.alternet.org/news/150645/obama_returns_to_his_moral_vision%3A_democrats_read_carefully%21/

[Donnachaidh]

1. funny how his *moral vision* returns after he's announced his candidacy

ain't it? :sarcasm:

[MineralMan]

2. -100. Instead of finding a way to turn this against the President,

why not encourage it? Are you so determined to undermine President Obama that you will seek out a way to turn positives into negatives? Really...

It's wearying. It truly is.

[monmouth]

3. Another ray of sunshine, every day, same old, same old....sigh...n/t

[MineralMan]

4. Yes. I'd ignore it, but I can't.

I'll just keep pointing it out, I guess.

[Marr]

6. Because the timing speaks to his sincerity.

Obviously. Many think the President's recent turnaround in rhetoric is just another example of the wide gulf between Campaign Obama and President Obama.

[MineralMan]

7. Actually, I listen to what he has to say. This isn't a change

in his rhetoric at all. Try listening to his Saturday broadcasts. I've been doing that all along. His rhetoric hasn't changed one bit.

It's good to go to the source, rather than to depend on others to find out where he's coming from.

He's in a very difficult position.

You may do as you please, of course, but you're missing something.

[Marr]

10. I'll admit I don't listen to his Saturday broadcasts.

I watch what he does. Last week's speech seemed, to me, quite out of step with his actions over the last two years.

[MineralMan]

11. But, it wasn't out of step with his Saturday morning addresses

at all. You'd know that if you listened to them. You do understand that a US President can't do a lot without Congress, right? We need to give him the Congress he needs to do the things he says he wants to do.

I'd listen to what he's saying. All those Saturday addresses are available, you know. You could listen to them now.

[Zorra]

5. He really speaks very eloquently, and seems to have some great ideas. nt

[Wednesdays]

8. Teabaggers: "Lincoln was a Commie, anyway."

:eyes:

[Davis_X_Machina]

9. Just another Illinois state house hack...

....and no true Abolitionist Progressive has any business voting for him. Tool of the railroads banksters, too.

He sold us out. He's worse than Buchanan Bush!

[FriendlyGadfly]

12. Lincoln Quote?

I am curious about the context of this quote from Lincoln, but have been unable to find any citations of it.
Anybody here know when and where Lincoln said "to do together what we cannot do as well for ourselves"?