And this President wakes up every morning, looks out across America and is proud to announce, 'It could be worse.' It could be worse? Is that what it means to be an American? It could be worse? Of course not. What defines us as Americans is our unwavering conviction that we know it must be better.
Interpretation
Being an American means striving for improvement rather than settling for the status quo.
In this quote, Mitt Romney emphasizes the belief that true American values do not rest on accepting a lesser situation with a mere acknowledgment that it could be worse. Instead, he argues that Americans should possess a conviction for progress and improvement, motivating them to strive for better circumstances and opportunities.
In practice
Use this quote during a motivational speech about the American spirit.
My dad was phenomenal. Born in Mexico, lived poor, didn't graduate from college, and becomes head of a car company and then governor of a state. I can't imagine I would have ever thought about running for office had I not seen my dad do it.
I have never once regretted missing a business opportunity so that I could be with my children and grandchildren.
My mom and dad gave their kids the greatest gift of all - the gift of unconditional love. They cared deeply about who we would be, and much less about what we would do.
I have seen American determination in people like Debbi Sommers. She runs a furniture rental business for conventions in Las Vegas. When 9/11 hit, and again, when the recession tanked the conventions business, she didn't give up, close down, or lay off her people. She taught them not just to rent furniture, but also to manufacture it.
Mr. President, youβre entitled as a president to your own airplane, and to your own house, but not to your own facts.
Trickle-down racism, trickle-down bigotry, trickle-down misogyny, all these things are extraordinarily dangerous to the heart and character of America.
The depth of darkness to which you can descend and still live is an exact measure of the height to which you can aspire to reach.
Working hard becomes a habit, a serious kind of fun. You get self-satisfaction from pushing your self to the limit, knowing that all the effort is going to pay off.
At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable.
I don't play with a lot of finesse. I usually play like I'm breaking out of jail!
Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream.
Every time I've gotten myself into trouble, it's because I'm choosing a project based on a long-term career goal as opposed to something that speaks to me at the moment.
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