A Vision For a Better Tomorrow

A speech to the masses by Ignacio Sosa Fall 1943 Buenos Aires, Argentina My dearest and fellow Argentines, I have come here today to give this very speech on the sole purpose of gaining your friendship and support. My name is Ignacio Sosa, and I am here to tell you that there is hope for the future of this country. I am here to promise you that you, my fellow Argentines, are the backbone of this very country. You are the common people and the foundation of the urban masses, and there is soon to be a better life for all. Without you, this country would be bare and lacking a unique culture and way of life. What we must do, my friends, is establish and cherish this national identity that is ours! We need to strengthen the state to fulfill an even greater national destiny, a new nationalism! And how will we do it? We will do it together. But you might ask, why believe me? Who am I to tell you who you are and who you are not? Well my dearest crowd, I am not a politician or a dictator, I am one of you. I come from a humble family that has never come to realize the power of wealth and elite status. Like you, I am the true Argentine. My family has roots in Portugal, as my mother came here in the year 1920 to make a better life for herself. She began working in domestic service, when she met my father, a factory man working to better the industry of this country. You see, I am no different than any one of you. I have the same family values that you have, and I can relate to you, as one of you. So what is this great new national identity that I speak of? Well, there are hundreds, possibly thousands, possibly millions of people who do not have a voice in this country. My job today is to promise you that those of you who have lived your lives feeling lost and neglected, not good enough, a woman, just a "working class citizen;" the period for change is now. If you do decide to check my name on the ballot, I promise to give you a voice. I promise to create better jobs, better wages, and put you at the center of the nation. My friends, if you are loyal to me, I will be loyal to you in return. This is a new generation, and my vision is that Latin American politics will from here on out be changed for the good! Dear Argentines, I want to remind you that the past is in the past. There is no longer a question of whether or not a political figure will live up to his promises. It hurts to have promises made and not have them carried out, especially under the ruling of corrupt officials. The good news? This period is over. Corrupt officials are no longer the voice of this country, for the voice of this country lies in you, the people. This is a new political phenomenon that is here to stay. We are a family, you see. We are a national family. My plans for this nation are simple. I promise to commit to reforms, to justly distribute resources, and to nationalize the main components of the economy. I will expand our economic policies. I will promote democracy and all democratic principles. If one of you have a suggestion for me, I will listen rather than speak, and apply it to this country's principles. The center of this nation will be industry, as it is the key to our economic stability, as this has been learned through the happenings of the Great Depression of 1929. It is our key to success. That is all I have for today, my fellow people of Buenos Aires. Remember me, your friend, Ignacio Sosa, on the ballot. Remember our national identity and a better future. Remember that my job is to give those of you who have never had a voice a voice indeed. Remember that above all, change is going to happen. Remember that I will keep my promise, and keep the promises of any Argentine. Remember, that together, we have a better vision for tomorrow.