Reagan: What His Own Words Tell Us

Chron Watch ^ | 09 June 2004 | Bob Chandra

[Lando Lincoln]

Ronald Reagan’s death was a sad day for America.  We remember when America had lost its confidence in the 1970’s, with stagflation and the Iran hostage crisis.  And weremember how the country chose a visionary in Reagan to restore its pride.  Despite omissions in the obituaries that the media are writing, we remember how Reagan ended the Cold War without a shot being fired and how his policies led to the largest economic expansion in American history.  And while news coverage following Reagan’s death give the impression that he was an ''actor who got lucky,'' we remember that prior to being president, Reagan had worked his way up to that stage by serving two successful terms as governor of California. 

 

       Because I expect that my fellow columnists will help to set the record straight on Reagan’s accomplishments, I would like to instead focus on another aspect--Reagan’s gift of communication.  While critics assume that Reagan was a carefully managed figurehead, the truth is that Reagan was a deep thinker--one who had carefully formulated his plans on reviving the American economy and dismantling the Soviet Union long before he took office.  From 1975 to 1979, Reagan served as a radio commentator whose original and thought-provoking addresses gave us a window into his brilliant mind.  No one could better articulate the conservative position and the nature of the American spirit better than Reagan.  Let’s take a walk down memory lane by reading some of his spoken and written words:

 

''It is not my intention to do away with government.  It is rather to make it work--work with us, not over us; stand by our side, not ride on our back.  Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it.'' - Ronald Reagan--First Inaugural Address, January 20, 1981

 

       Simple, not simplistic: Reagan articulates the ''smaller, smarter government'' philosophy of conservatism without sounding cold or extreme; instead, it sounds reasonable--something even liberals could agree with. 

 

''How do you tell a Communist?  Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin.  And how do you tell an anti-Communist?  It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.'' - Ronald Reagan - Remarks in Arlington, Virginia, September 25, 1987

 

       Subtle distinction: Countless Americans were awed by the communist fairly tale as articulated by Karl Marx.  But Reagan knew that those who truly understood Marx’s prescriptions would know that it would lead, necessarily, to tyranny.  From China to the Soviet Union to the Khmer Rouge, communism has killed nearly 100 million people.  And yet there are still people on university campuses who deny that communism was ever attempted or that it was a failed experiment.  Often, these people can reference numerous esoteric facts to bolster their claim.  And yet, truth is on Reagan’s side.  Perhaps Reagan knew the distinction between knowledge and wisdom.

 

''This is the issue of this election: Whether we believe in our capacity for self-government or whether we abandon the American Revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capital can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them ourselves. ''  - Ronald Reagan -October 27, 1964

 

       Conservatism as Populism:  Individualism runs deep in American culture and the people chafe at having their lives managed by bureaucrats who’ve never set foot in their state, much less their home.  Reagan spoke to this deep-seated feeling.

 

''We've done our part. And as I walk off into the city streets, a final word to the men and women of the Reagan revolution, the men and women across America who for eight years did the work that brought America back.  My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time.  We made a difference. We made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands.  All in all, not bad, not bad at all.''  - Farewell Address to the Nation, January 20th, 1989

 

       Optimism and Humility: Ronald Reagan had a sign on his desk that said, ''there is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit.''  Despite his significant achievements, Reagan chose to credit the people for rebuilding America.  He spent his time improving America, not cultivating his image among journalists or historians.  And ultimately, the Reagan Revolution was not about petty goals, stopping liberals, or cutting bureaucracy.  It was grander in scale.  It was about fulfilling the vision that America was a ''shining city on a hill'' whose greatest day still lay ahead.

 

       We are thankful to Ronald Reagan for bringing America back.  We will miss him.  May he rest in peace. 

 

--

       How do you remember Reagan?  I invite readers to send me your fondest memories of him at bobchandra@comcast.net.  I will look to include them in my next column.

[Lando Lincoln]

Lando

[lainde]

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