From the Stage at the Vote For Change Rally in Philadelphia

The following are my comments from the stage at yesterday's Vote For Change rally in Philadelphia:

Hello Philly,

I am glad to be here today for this voter registration drive and for Barack Obama, the next president of the United States.

I've spent 35 years writing about America, its people, and the meaning of the American Promise. The Promise that was handed down to us, right here in this city from our founding fathers, with one instruction: Do your best to make these things real: opportunity, equality, social and economic justice, a fair shake for all of our citizens, the American idea, as a positive influence, around the world for a more just and peaceful existence. These are the things that give our lives hope, shape, and meaning. They are the ties that bind us together and give us faith in our contract with one another.

I've spent most of my creative life measuring the distance between that American promise and American reality. For many Americans, who are today losing their jobs, their homes, seeing their retirement funds disappear, who have no healthcare, or who have been abandoned in our inner cities, the distance between that promise and that reality has never been greater or more painful.

I believe Senator Obama has taken the measure of that distance in his own life and in his work. I believe he understands, in his heart, the cost of that distance, in blood and suffering, in the lives of everyday Americans. I believe as president, he would work to restore that promise to so many of our fellow citizens who have justifiably lost faith in its meaning. After the disastrous administration of the past 8 years, we need someone to lead us in an American reclamation project. In my job, I travel the world, and occasionally play big stadiums, just like Senator Obama. I've continued to find, wherever I go, America remains a repository of people's hopes, possibilities, and desires, and that despite the terrible erosion to our standing around the world, accomplished by our recent administration, we remain, for many, a house of dreams. One thousand George Bushes and one thousand Dick Cheneys will never be able to tear that house down.

They will, however, be leaving office, dropping the national tragedies of Katrina, Iraq, and our financial crisis in our laps. Our sacred house of dreams has been abused, looted, and left in a terrible state of disrepair. It needs care; it needs saving, it needs defending against those who would sell it down the river for power or a quick buck. It needs strong arms, hearts, and minds. It needs someone with Senator Obama's understanding, temperateness, deliberativeness, maturity, compassion, toughness, and faith, to help us rebuild our house once again. But most importantly, it needs us. You and me. To build that house with the generosity that is at the heart of the American spirit. A house that is truer and big enough to contain the hopes and dreams of all of our fellow citizens. That is where our future lies. We will rise or fall as a people by our ability to accomplish this task. Now I don't know about you, but I want that dream back, I want my America back, I want my country back.

So now is the time to stand with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, roll up our sleeves, and come on up for the rising.

Here is the video:

Comments

[100YearsOfWar]

Well spoken Bruce!

[NickyD]

Thank you for your voice and for being a true American!

[MadDog]

Right on! Excellently put.

Thank you for using your platform to help move our country in the right direction. "We" are all grateful.

Just say NO to Bush 44.

[TurnToTheLeft]

Bruce you are a true American hero. You remember your roots and fight for all of us unprivileged folk. i pray for your health and strength. Please help us win the Rust Belt.

[rossir]

Thank you Bruce!

May your voice continue to rise up, as it always has for me.

[Jen4Obama]

Powerful, poignant words spoken by a familiar face of the American people. Thank you, Bruce, for your gift of words and song.

[johnnygoodwud]

saying what alot of us are feeling, but just can't express. thanks bruce for sharing the truth.

"0' in 08

[Housewife]

I am blinded by the light!

[gretcheno]

Wow, POWERFUL words!!

[Kim Stagliano - Huffpost Blogger]

Bruce, you are a national treasure. Thank you.

I am mother to 3 girls with autism. The future frightens me. We need change now.

I'll be speaking at a rally for vaccine choice in Trenton on the 16th. If you're in the neighborho­od....

Kim

(PS) Saw you in NYC, Long Island and Foxboro. Jungleland live? The best. Thank you.

[RepugsOut08]

Thank you, Bruce.
I'll never forget how powerful it was to hear you sing just days after the tragic events in NYC, as you opened the moving telethon for the victims of 9/11. Little did we know then, that there would be forces in our own government who would add insult to injury. An administration that foolishly squandered all the worldwide good will that was offered to us, and turned it's back in arrogance adding to the pain and misery of so many.
Those days are coming to and end soon, and we WILL rise up and turn the last eight years around. Thank you for all the great music you've given us, and all the great work you've done and continue to do to support the American dream.

[Star2000dancer]

MOST IMPORTANT!! MAKE SURE YOU & EVERYONE YOU CAN GET TO VOTE ...VOTES!!

[RepugsOut08]

You can count on it!!!

[chet74]

thanks Bruce !!! ...that was an awesome, passionate call to RECLAIM the American Dream ...vote Obama !!
r.

[gbht12]

Thanks Bruce, you are the boss.

Hopefully American's will listen to your message and not vote AGAINST their interests.

I am cautiously optimistic as we enter the last month of this election. McCain/Palin are coming out AGAIN with the ATTACK card and the Ayers, Wright issues.

We need to SLAM THEM, stop being so nice OBAMA. SLAM THEM

[thecanadian]

Beautiful Mr. Sprinsteen!
HOW THE WORLD MAP SEES THE CANDIDATES NOW - OBAMA VERSUS MCcAIN NOW.
If they could vote now!
You can vote too! Interactive - Find out where your country stands.
Updated every three hours.
http://www.economist.com/vote2008/index.cfm

[zendem1]

Thank you Bruce. For everything.
From a guitar player