Barack Obama on the Golden Rule at the Esperanza National Prayer Breakfast

In all that we do, we must be guided by that simple command that binds all great religions together: Love thy neighbor as thyself. In the 21st century, we've learned that this truth is central not just to our own lives, but to our success as a nation. If our children cannot get the world-class education they need to succeed, then America will not be able to compete with other countries. If our families cannot afford health care, then the costs go up for all of us -- individuals, businesses, and government. If folks down the street can't pay their mortgage and folks across town can't find a job, then that pain is going to trickle into other parts of our economy.