A Time for Hope, Not Fear

Floor Speech

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with the people of various Arab countries that have risen up to throw off the yoke of tyranny that has oppressed them for too long. Mr. Speaker, now is the time for us to let our idealism trump our cynicism; a time for hope, not fear.

I understand that there are people who are worried about the realpolitik of how developments might lead to changes in the world, but most Americans, Mr. Speaker, have deep and abiding sympathy for any who have democratic aspirations across the world.

We support, as a country, the aspirations of all people to be heard in their government. The only just government is one that governs by the consent of the governed. For too long, Mr. Speaker, too many Arabs and too many people across the world have suffered under unresponsive and tyrannical leaders; and now is a time for hope, to change that and create a new Middle East that better supports democratic values.

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