Remarks at a dinner for gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon in Phoenix, Arizona

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Oct 7, 2002

But a better America also understands that the true strength of our country is not our Government, but the true strength of the country is the people, the hearts and souls of the American people. See, that's what I think the strength of the country is. And we can change this country. You've got to understand that amongst the plenty, there are pockets of despair and hopelessness in this country. There just are. There are people who are addicted. There are people who are lonely. There are people who are lost. When you say "American Dream" to some of our fellow Americans, they go blank. And that's not right, and we need to deal with that. We need to address that part of our--because when one of us hurts, all of us should hurt.

And we can change that part of the American scene. And we've got to understand, as we do, the limitations of Government. Listen, Government can hand out money, and we do a pretty good job of it sometimes. But what Government can never do is put love in somebody's life, can't put hope in a person's heart. That's going to happen because our fellow Americans decide to fight evil by doing some good. That will happen when our fellow Americans understand being a patriot is more than just putting your hand over your heart. Being a patriot is serving something greater than yourself. Being a patriot is somebody who mentors a child. Being a patriot is somebody who feeds the hungry. Being a patriot is somebody who starts a Boy or--Boys or Girls Club. Being a patriot--who does everything he or she can do to make the quality of life in your neighborhood as good as it can be.

I don't know what's going through the mind of the enemy when they bit us. Oh, they probably thought after September the 11th, we might file a lawsuit or two. [Laughter] But they learned differently. They learned that this great country is plenty tough, and we'll defend our freedoms. They also learned that we're plenty compassionate and that we'll respond to their evil with decency. One person can't do everything in America, but one person can do something. And as you do that something, I want you to remember that you can change this country, one heart, one soul, one conscience at a time.

I believe that we're in the midst of a cultural change in America; I believe it. I believe we're shifting our culture from one which had said, "If it feels good, just go ahead and do it, and if you've got a problem, blame somebody else." I believe that since the terrible attack on America took place, that we're ushering in a period of personal responsibility, where each of us must understand, if you're lucky enough to be a mom or a dad, your most important job is to love your child with all your heart and all your soul. The culture of responsibility says, "If you live in Phoenix, Arizona, you must do everything you can to support the quality of life in that community. Don't hope for some distant Government to do it." The culture of responsibility says, "If you run a corporation in America, you're responsible to be honest with the books and treat your employees and shareholders with respect."