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You see, our predecessors understood that government could not, and should not, solve every problem. They understood that there are instances when the gains in security from government action are not worth the added constraints on our freedom. But they also understood that the danger of too much government is matched by the perils of too little; that without the leavening hand of wise policy, markets can crash, monopolies can stifle competition, the vulnerable can be exploited. And they knew that when any government measure, no matter how carefully crafted or beneficial, is subject to scorn; when any efforts to help people in need are attacked as un-American; when facts and reason are thrown overboard and only timidity passes for wisdom, and we can no longer even engage in a civil conversation with each other over the things that truly matter — that at that point we don’t merely lose our capacity to solve big challenges. We lose something essential about ourselves.

President Barack Obama, addressing a special joint session of Congress last night.

I think this quote should be included in every government textbook. It’s practical, realistic, and reaffirms my belief that I voted for the right candidate in November.

That being said, I enjoyed seeing John McCain in the audience. He makes incredible contributions to our nation’s legislature and I recognize he’s of a caliber and time similar to Ted Kennedy. Our current politicians should take note.

The most interesting part of the transcript on the White House web site, is that they included the shouting of Congressman of Joe Wilson:

AUDIENCE MEMBER: You lie! (Boos.)

John Gruber posted a nice screenshot of Congressman Wilson’s Wikipedia page soon after the President’s speech.