Monday, May 29, 2017

Trump said US strongly supports NATO but expects partners to pay their fair share. Also: 'We've defended borders of other nations while leaving our own borders wide open for anyone to cross'-Trump address to joint session of Congress, Feb. 28, 2017

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Excerpts from full Trump speech to Joint Session of Congress, 2/28/17, provided by The Hill: "We've defended the borders of other nations, while leaving our own borders wide open, for anyone to cross -- and for drugs to pour in at a now unprecedented rate."
 

A new chapter of American Greatness is now beginning. A new national pride is sweeping across our Nation.... 

Our allies will find that America is once again ready to lead.

All the nations of the world -- friend or foe -- will find that America is strong, America is proud, and America is free....I will not allow the mistakes of recent decades past to define the course of our future. 

For too long, we've watched our middle class shrink as we've exported our jobs and wealth to foreign countries. 

We've financed and built one global project after another, but ignored the fates of our children in the inner cities of Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit -- and so many other places throughout our land. 

We've defended the borders of other nations, while leaving our own borders wide open, for anyone to cross -- and for drugs to pour in at a now unprecedented rate. 

And we've spent trillions of dollars overseas, while our infrastructure at home has so badly crumbled. 

Then, in 2016, the earth shifted beneath our feet....The quiet voices became a loud chorus -- as thousands of citizens now spoke out together, from cities small and large, all across our country. 

Finally, the chorus became an earthquake – and the people turned out by the tens of millions, and they were all united by one very simple, but crucial demand, that America must put its own citizens first...because only then, can we truly MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.

Dying industries will come roaring back to life. Heroic veterans will get the care they so desperately need. 

Our military will be given the resources its brave warriors so richly deserve.... 

Our terrible drug epidemic will slow down and ultimately, stop. 

And our neglected inner cities will see a rebirth of hope, safety, and opportunity. 

Above all else, we will keep our promises to the American people.... 

To any in Congress who do not believe we should enforce our laws, I would ask you this question: what would you say to the American family that loses their jobs, their income, or a loved one, because America refused to uphold its laws and defend its borders?...

To those allies who wonder what kind of friend America will be, look no further than the heroes who wear our uniform. 

Our foreign policy calls for a direct, robust and meaningful engagement with the world.  It is American leadership based on vital security interests that we share with our allies across the globe.

We strongly support NATO, an alliance forged through the bonds of two World Wars that dethroned fascism, and a Cold War that defeated communism. 

But our partners must meet their financial obligations.
     
And now, based on our very strong and frank discussions, they are beginning to do just that.

We expect our partners, whether in NATO, in the Middle East, or the Pacific –- to take a direct and meaningful role in both strategic and military operations, and pay their fair share of the cost.

We will respect historic institutions, but we will also respect the sovereign rights of nations.

Free nations are the best vehicle for expressing the will of the people –- and America respects the right of all nations to chart their own path.  My job is not to represent the world.  My job is to represent the United States of America. But we know that America is better off, when there is less conflict -- not more."...image via Daily Mail 
 
Feb. 28, 2017

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