I think I am a conservative.

I have realized that, perhaps, I really am a conservative at heart. I would support this politician. Read some inspiring words of solidarity and progress -- can you resist?

This is just one of many stories that are not in the least spectacular, but still show how we can pull together.

There are friends and neighbors who take the initiative or put problems right. There are the families who provide loving care for their children and their family members every day. There are trade unionists and entrepreneurs who work together to ensure job security.

Trade unionists and entrepreneurs (not insanely described with religious discurse as 'job creators') -- I like!

These people and many others like them make our society compassionate and successful. In this way it became possible this year for us to have the lowest unemployment rate and the highest labor market participation...

For hundreds of thousands of families, this means having a safe future and earning recognition.

And for our young people this means security, an education, a job and thus a good start in life.

Social security for young people? Well, I'm liking the idea that it's society's responsibility to ensure social security, education, and employment prospects for all young people.

I would like to tell you about two small medical miracles: I recently met a 10-year-old boy who was born almost deaf. Then he received a highly advanced implant. Today, he can listen to music and go to school without problems.

I also met a young woman who has lived for three years with a replacement heart valve that is growing with her. It means she can play sports and lead a normal life.

These are small medical miracles. They are marks of our researchers' success. For this boy and this woman, research means hearing, or a heartbeat. It means daily life and quality of life.

For our country, research means jobs. If we can do something that others cannot, we preserve and create prosperity.

Hmmm...which corporation developed this girl's heart valve? Oh, society as large -- we built that heart valve. I'm liking! I bet that woman didn't even have to beg an insurance company CEO on Twitter to stay alive.

That is why we are investing more than ever before in education and research. That is why we are building [our country] into one of the most modern energy producers in the world. That is why we are preparing our country for demographic change, and that is why we are bringing public finances into order. These objectives will continue to guide us in 2013.

We need the right balance for our prosperity and our cohesion. We need a willingness to achieve as well as social security for all.

Social security for all? Sounds good to me -- just as long as we're not talking communism! And I don't think we are here! Maybe we're just talking not allowing people to go without food, shelter, or modern medicine? Cool!

At this hour in particular we should think about those who ensure our security, both here at home and far away.

They are our soldiers, police officers and civilian helpers who do their job for us at great personal sacrifice. I know from my conversations with them, how much it means to them when we at home think of them. I especially want to express my thanks to them tonight.

Our confidence for the coming year may take sustenance from a saying of the Greek philosopher Democritus. He said: "Courage marks the beginning of action, fortune the end."

Wow, thanking the police officers? I agree -- they do work hard! And, silly me, I thought we just had to fire these bastards -- I thought they were the problem. I'm glad to know we can celebrate public servants without behaving like Stalin reincarnated.

In this spirit, let us in 2013 continue to share the burden of those who are facing difficulty, people who are lonely or sick or in need of comfort.

Together, let us make the New Year one in which we again put our greatest strengths to the test: our togetherness, our continued capacity for new ideas that gives us economic power. Then [our country] will continue to be compassionate and successful.

Share the burden of the sick and insecure? Togetherness? Again, wow, I like these words and this discourse.

I think I just might be a conservative...if I lived here.

Reflect on these words -- and where they're coming from -- in light of the national embarrassment that is our own conservatism.

And, also, reflect on just how insane our politics are that anything close to the rhetoric displayed in this speech by one of our own politicians would be labelled 'left wing' and socialistic by not only the so-called 'conservatives', but also by the Very Serious People of the so-called 'mainstream media'.

Please, friends, reflect tonight with me.