Governor Palin carried Reagan's torch to India as she closed the India Today Conclave 2011 with a keynote speech about her support for free market principles, individual freedoms, strong female leaders, economic and foreign policy, our pioneering spirit, and her record.
"I appreciate getting to see some of your magnificent city," Gov. Palin said. "This is my first time to India and I hope it won't be my last." Gov. Palin promised her husband Todd that on their next trip, they would visit the Taj Mahal - "that eternal monument of love."
"My country was discovered in the age of exploration," Gov. Palin said. "My country was discovered when the Western Europeans were looking for routes to yours." She made reference to the ancient spice routes and the Silk Road. "When I had the honor of meeting your PM, I expressed my admiration for India's rich culture," Gov. Palin said.
Gov. Palin took a moment to remember Japan and reminded everyone that life is precious and fragile. She said we could "learn from the resiliency and humble cooperation" displayed by the Japanese in the wake of the double natural disaster that befell them.
In discussing her past, Gov. Palin said that "optimism and respect for individual liberty shaped both my political beliefs and my vision for my country."
She spoke about Pioneer Peak, which is visible from her kitchen window. It's a constant reminder that "Alaska is the last frontier," and the state's pioneering spirit shaped her. "There is no limit to what you can achieve with hard work," Gov. Palin said.
Gov. Palin outlined her vision of what government should be, which dates back to her days as one of Wasilla's city council women 20 years ago. "Government should be about laying infrastructure, not planning and distributing wealth," she said.
"As governor of my state, my goal was to clean up corruption and develop our rich natural resources...the push for 'green' at the expense of 'conventional, reliable' sources is not a credible energy policy or economic policy. I've seen firsthand how energy development, job creation and national security are inextricably linked," she said.
Our need for energy independence is only one of the strategic challenges we face today. She spoke about the need to pursue an all-of-the-above approach to energy development.
Some 30 years ago, India was a weak, "developing country....Today we speak of India as a "dynamic, vibrant economy," Gov. Palin said.
"Our countries are half a world apart geographically, but connected by so much in common," Gov. Palin said.
"America's demise has been predicted before. It didn't happen then. It won't happen now," as she spoke optimistically about our nation's future.
"The relationship between our countries could shape the course of the next century," she said. "Indian entrepreneurs are investing in the US, even as US businesses expand here."
"I admire India's tradition of strong women leaders - at home and abroad.....The 'Changing Balance of Power' throughout the world today is driven by the empowerment of the individual," Gov. Palin said.
"America has long been famous for our rags-to-riches stories. Now India is, too," she continued.
"Friends, our two democracies understand the struggle for freedom....What America can show the world is what is possible...Yes, may we be free!" Gov. Palin said concluding her speech.
During the question and answer session that followed, Gov. Palin spoke about foreign and economic policy, and 2012.
When asked if she would support free trade, even at the cost of American jobs, Gov. Palin courageously said "yes," and did not mince words. "We are thankful for free trade we are engaged in," she said. Gov. Palin opposes bailouts and government picking winners and loses. If a business fails, a new one will rise to succeed the failed one. "Free trade is a hallmark of one who would believe in the free-market entrepreneurial system," she said.
On Libya, Gov. Palin said "we can support no-fly zone" and that we do not need to commit American troops there. "There would have been less dithering, more decisiveness" in my approach to Libya, she said. Gov. Palin supports economic sanctions and strong diplomacy to bring peace to the region with military action as a last resort.
Gov. Palin also cautioned that the "United States needs to be vigilant as to what China is doing." She expressed her doubt that China's military build-up is for a defensive posture.
On the relationship between Pakistan and India, Gov. Palin said, "we will not put up with innocent people being harmed by terrorists."
Regarding the mainstream media, Gov. Palin said "you need boldness to set the record straight. You can't necessarily trust the mainstream media to accurately report on your record, accomplishments, and values."
On 2012, Gov. Palin said, "It's not impossible for a woman to become the President of the U.S. In fact, I think it's time ..." Gov. Palin said that a decision on 2012 is still in the future and she is waiting to see who will "offer themselves up in the name of service." When asked what her husband's title would be, she said, "well Todd's buddies call him all sorts of things, but he would be First Gentleman."
Gov Palin supports economic sanctions to pressure terrorist havens and supports the Reagan principle of "peace through strength." She said that waste and fraud in military budget should be chopped, but Gov. Palin believes in strong military and strong national defense, which would be her first priority.
"I am thankful that I came of age in the era of Ronald Reagan. He believed in the power of of the individual, not collectivism," Gov. Palin said. Abraham Lincoln was also one of Gov. Palin's role models, as was Margaret Thatcher, though Thatcher was not mentioned today.
"I am a proud Republican because that is the party of Lincoln and Reagan".
When the a commentator was asked why he found it so important to cover Gov. Palin, the commentator responded, "Sarah Palin is India's friend."
At the close of the Q&A session, Gov. Palin was presented with a gift.
No comments:
Post a Comment