Margaret Thatcher on Defeating Socialism

Much like close friend and fellow happy-warrior Ronald Reagan, British PM Margaret Thatcher loved to take on her liberal opponents... and had a lot of fun doing it. The House of Commons' raucous debate atmosphere also provided an ideal platform that often had Lady Thatcher at her very, very best.

But also as Reagan did, the Iron Lady respected historical precedent... and knew what she was talking about: Thatcher proved it by turning her country around almost single-handedly, establishing an opportunity society that rejected socialist malaise while rewarding performers...
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"There can be no liberty unless there is economic liberty.

People think that at the top there isn't much room. They tend to think of it as an Everest. My message is that there is tons of room at the top.

No-one would remember the Good Samaritan if he'd only had good intentions; he had money as well.

I came to office with one deliberate intent: to change Britain from a dependent to a self-reliant society — from a give-it-to-me, to a do-it-yourself nation. A get-up-and-go, instead of a sit-back-and-wait-for-it Britain.

The trouble with socialism is, eventually you run out of other people's money.

To cure the British disease with socialism was like trying to cure leukaemia with leeches.

Socialists cry "Power to the people", and raise the clenched fist as they say it. We all know what they really mean—power over people, power to the State.

Pennies do not fall from heaven... they have to be earned here on earth

My job is to keep Britain from going red "

This clip comes from Margaret Thatcher's last day as Prime Minister in the British House of Commons- November 22, 1990. In it, a couple of the socialists see the need to take a parting shot, so she -one last time- crushes them like a bug... some boys just never learn:

"Thatcher's Last Stand Against Socialism" [video]

But in-addition to a firmly held set of pro-market, pro-liberty, and anti-communist beliefs/guiding principles based upon lessons of history and common sense, both Reagan and Thatcher possessed the primary human quality required for success in any substantial endeavor: dogged perseverance until victory- there's surely a vital lesson in that for TEA Party patriots fighting socialism in America today:

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"I can't bear Britain in decline... I just can't

If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.

To me, consensus seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects.

There are still people in my party who believe in consensus politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors... I mean it.

People tell me I shouldn't gloat... well, I am gloating
(over her victory in the UK Miner's Strike)

If my critics saw me walking over the Thames, they would say it was because I couldn't swim.

Defeat—I do not recognise the meaning of the word!

It is a great night. It is the end of Socialism
(upon learning results in the 1992 UK general election)

I fight on... I fight to win"

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"The Lady's not for turning" [video]
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Fascinating comments. But my point was that it's idiotic to attempt resurrect heroes by projecting their personnas onto others.

As to your point: there is no basis for judging Sarah Palin's legacy of leadership before her career of service is complete. The extent of her influence is already impossible to measure in both breadth and endurance. It is impossible -- and just plain ignorant -- to claim one is greater than another and I'd wager both would disappointed at the endeavor.

As for America, I assure you, America is in a crisis every bit as dire as anything any nation has ever faced and I would say even greater and more momentous still for reasons I wont attempt to elaborate on here.

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