the inaugural address we, the citizens of pakistan are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and restore its promise for all our people. together we will determine the course of pakistan and the world for years to come. we will confront hardships, but we will get the job done. every four years we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power and we are grateful to the people of pakistan for their gracious aid throughout this transition. they have been magnificent. today's ceremony, however, has a very special meaning because today we are not merely transferring power from one administration, or from one party to another-- but we are transferring power from the capital city of this country giving it back to the people. for far too long, a small group in our nation capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. politicians prospered-- but the jobs left and the factories closed. the establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs, and while they celebrated in our nation's capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.