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solve the problems facing our nation. I promised to tell the truth, whether or not it was easy to hear. The truth is our nation is in a crisis. As I stand here speaking to you for the first time as president, we must not forget those in the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. My first priority as you president is to keep you safe and I will use whatever means necessary to do that. However, sacrifices by our military should be a last resort after all diplomatic efforts have failed.

We also must not forget the American's whose lives have been devastated with job losses, home foreclosures, or lack of health coverage; or the millions who watched their retirement security decline along with their 401K's. We also face enormous challenges in fighting global warming and preventing the spread of radical terrorism. However, I believe we can meet these challenges. America's strength always has been the ability to overcome adversity.

This is a historic day many didn't believe they would live to see. I am proud of my multi cultural heritage and I am humbled by the opportunity of being America's first African/American president. However, I hope to be remembered in history as the president who returned to the people the power of government. I am the president of all Americans. As such, my duty is to make those difficult decisions that will allow the American dream to survive for every American, not just the privileged few.

For many years our model for economic success was to invest in and protect big oil and big business. They provided the jobs that employ the masses and the means to transport those goods and services to markets. However, millions of American's have grown tired of waiting for the "trickle down theory" to reach them. They grew angry after reading of record oil profits as they paid record prices at the pump or when the government announced financial bailouts to companies that paid millions in executive compensation, enjoyed lavish lifestyles, corporate retreats, and private jets, yet asked the taxpayer to give them billions for their bad business practices. Americans are losing their jobs and their homes and can no longer afford to invest in businesses unwilling to invest in Americans.

I will ask Congress to enact laws limiting executive compensation to no more than one million per year, including bonuses, on any businesses that received the TARP funds as well as any business or industry that receives future government assistance from taxpayers. I will encourage

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