Political Quotes

“Mr. President, my story begins with my mom. My mom had a very difficult life. She grew up with a verbally abusive, alcoholic father. She married a physically abusive, alcoholic husband, whom she divorced when I was born. At that time, divorce was frowned upon. My birth father never gave my mom, my older brother, or me a dime. I never met him. My mom eventually married the man who became my adoptive father, a busdriver who made all four combat jumps with the 82nd Airborne in World War II. This summer, I had the opportunity to go to the D-Day anniversary in Normandy and to look at the area he parachuted into, where 17 percent of his company died. He was a loving father, but with only a sixth-grade education and five children, he struggled to support our family. We had no money and lived in public housing, but even with all of those issues, I cannot think of a better childhood. Even with no money, my mom was optimistic and hopeful. She told us that we were blessed because God and our Founders created the greatest country ever, where anything was possible. I am not sure my mom ever really had a plan for us, but she certainly knew what she was doing. We sat through many sermons, and church was not optional. We were told we had to make straight A's. We memorized the first part of the Declaration of Independence and the 23rd Psalm. We became Eagle Scouts, cleaned the house, and had to have a job. I started working at 7 years old and haven't stopped since.…”