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, you’re 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.
When Olympic decathlon gold medalist Bruce Jenner asked a roomful of Olympic hopefuls if they had a list of written goals, every one raised their hands. When he asked how many of them had that list with them right that moment, only one person raised their hand. That person was Dan O'Brien. And it was Dan O'Brien who went on to win the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Don't underestimate the power of setting goals and constantly reviewing them.
The world doesn't need any more mediocrity or hedged bets.
I know what I can do so it doesn't bother me what other people think or their opinion on the situation.
To reach a port, we must sail - sail, not tie at anchor - sail, not drift.
Let us do our duty in our shop or our kitchen, in the market, the street, the office, the school, the home, just as faithfully as if we stood in the front rank of some great battle, and knew that victory for mankind depended on our bravery, strength, and skill. When we do that, the humblest of us will be serving in that great army which achieves the welfare of the world.
If I'm on a roll, and I finish a script at 3:00, I'll start another at 3:02.
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