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`Government is not the solution...': quotations of Ronald Reagan
tcpalm.com ^ | June 5, 2004 | The Associated Press

Posted on 06/05/2004 5:50:46 PM PDT by Destro

`Government is not the solution...': quotations of Ronald Reagan

By The Associated Press

June 5, 2004

Some quotations from Ronald Reagan:

"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 for ourselves." — Oct. 27, 1964, televised speech for GOP presidential candidate Barry Goldwater.

"I am paying for this microphone, Mr. Breen." — When someone tried to turn off his microphone at a Reagan-sponsored debate during 1980 New Hampshire primaries.

"We have to move ahead, but we are not going to leave anyone behind." — Republican National Convention, July 1980

"There you go again." — Responding to criticism during debate with President Carter, October 1980.

"Government is not the solution, it's the problem." — Inaugural address, Jan. 20, 1981

"All of us need to be reminded that the federal government did not create the states, the states created the federal government. ... Steps will be taken aimed a restoring the balance between the various levels of government." — Inaugural address, Jan. 20, 1981.

"Honey, I forgot to duck." — To Nancy Reagan in the emergency room after he was shot by a would-be assassin, March 30, 1981.

"It's just plain common sense that there be a waiting period to allow local law enforcement officials to conduct background checks on those who wish to buy a handgun." — Endorsing the Brady handgun control bill, at a March 1991 event commemorating 10th anniversary of assassination attempt.

"Some argue that we should encourage democratic change in right-wing dictatorships, but not in Communist regimes. Well, to accept this preposterous notion — as some well-meaning people have — is to invite the argument that once countries achieve a nuclear capability, they should be allowed an undisturbed reign of terror over their own citizens. We reject this course." — June 1982 speech to British Parliament.

"I was pleased last year to proclaim 1983 the year of the Bible. But, you know, a group called the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) severely criticized me for doing that. Well, I wear their indictment like a badge of honor." — January 1984.

"I've always stated that the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth is a government program." — April 1986

"A (nuclear weapons) freeze now would be a very dangerous fraud, for that is merely the illusion of peace. The reality is that we must find peace through strength. ...

"I urge you to beware the temptation of pride, the temptation of blithely declaring yourselves above it all and label both sides equally at fault, to ignore the facts of history and the aggressive impulses of an evil empire, to simply call the arms race a giant misunderstanding and thereby remove yourself from the struggle between right and wrong and good and evil. ...

"I believe that communism is another sad, bizarre chapter in human history whose last pages even now are being written." — Speech to the National Association of Evangelicals, March 1983. (He wrote six years later that "I could not in good conscience today call the Soviet Union an evil empire.")

"If you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate ... open this gate ... tear down this wall." — June 1987 speech at Brandenberg Gate in Berlin. Remarks addressed to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

"By 1980, we knew it was time to renew our faith; to strive with all our strength toward the ultimate of individual freedom, consistent with an orderly society.

"We believed then and now: There are no limits to growth and human progress, when men and women are free to follow their dreams. And we were right to believe that. Tax rates have been reduced, inflation cut dramatically and more people are employed than ever before in our history.

"We are creating a nation once again vibrant, robust, and alive. There are many mountains yet to climb. We will not rest until every American enjoys the fullness of freedom, dignity, and opportunity as our birthright. It is our birthright as citizens of this great republic." — Second inaugural address, Jan. 21, 1985

"The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or on the next. It was the deep knowledge — and pray God we have not lost it — that there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest." — On 40th anniversary of Normandy invasion, June 6, 1984.

___

"Sending the Marines to Beirut was the source of my greatest regret and greatest sorrow." — About the Lebanon bombing that killed 241 servicemen in 1983, from his 1990 book, "An American Life"

"The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and `slipped the surly bonds of earth' to `touch the face of God.'" — After shuttle disaster, Jan. 28, 1986.

"A few months ago I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that is true, but the facts and the evidence tell me it is not." — March 4, 1987, speech acknowledging dealings with Iran had deteriorated into an arms for hostages deal

"You know, by the time you reach my age, you've made plenty of mistakes if you've lived your life properly. So you learn. You put things in perspective. You pull your energies together. You change. You go forward. My fellow Americans, I have a great deal that I want to accomplish with you and for you over the next two years. And, the Lord willing, that's exactly what I intend to do." — March 4, 1987, speech acknowledging dealings with Iran had deteriorated into an arms for hostages deal

"I did not see it as trading arms for hostages because we were dealing with Iranian intermediaries, not the kidnappers themselves. I know it may be a fine line to most people, but it's what I believed then and what I still believe." — About the Iran-Contra affair, from his 1989 book, "Speaking My Mind"

"My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes." — Joke while testing microphone, Aug. 11, 1984

"So, you can see why, to me, the story of these last eight years and this presidency goes far beyond any personal concerns. It is a continuation, really, of a far larger story, a story of a people and a cause. A cause that, from our earliest beginnings, has defined us as a nation and given purpose to our national existence. The hope of human freedom, the quest for it, the achievement of it, is the American saga." — Last weekly radio address as president, Jan. 14, 1989.

"If I ache, it's because we are apart and yet that can't be because you are inside and a part of me, so we really aren't apart at all. Yet I ache but wouldn't be without the ache, because that would mean being without you and that I can't be because I love you." — 1963 letter to his wife, Nancy, quoted in 2000 book "I Love You, Ronnie."

"In closing let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your president. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future. I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead." — Nov. 5, 1994, announcing he had Alzheimer's disease.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: quotes; ronaldreagan
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To: beavus
"I favor the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and it must be enforced at gunpoint if necessary." Ronald Reagan

Another great actor named Charlton Heston would agree.

Charlton Heston during the 1963 March on Washington

Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, & Charlton Heston

21 posted on 06/05/2004 8:08:02 PM PDT by Destro (Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorism by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
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To: Destro

August 17, 1992 ..Republican National Convention,.
"When you see all that rhetorical smoke billowing up from the Democrats, well ladies and gentleman, I'd follow the example of their nominee; don't inhale."


22 posted on 06/05/2004 8:56:40 PM PDT by El Gato (Federal Judges can twist the Constitution into anything.. Or so they think.)
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To: Destro
Fist in Hollywood the leftists who were his compatriots went from support for the USSR as an ally against Hitler to Stalinists acting in concert to undermine the American system for the sake of the expansion of Communism.

Actually many of them did not support any war against Hitler, they actually favored him. He was after a Socialist and most importantly had signed a friendship treaty with Uncle Joe Stalin, their idol even before WW-II. It was only after Hitler, frustrated at his inability to cow and conquer the United Kingdom, attacked the Soviet Union, did they come to support the war effort. After the war they merely returned to their former ways. Of course RR was never than kind of "leftist", he was Scoop Jackson or Sam Nunn type of Democrat, nothing like the leaders and much of the rank and file of what passes for the Democrat party these days.

23 posted on 06/05/2004 9:01:55 PM PDT by El Gato (Federal Judges can twist the Constitution into anything.. Or so they think.)
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To: El Gato
American Communists NEVER favored Hitler they were just told to shut up after the Hitler-Stalin pact.

Before that American leftists were going to Spain to fight against the reactionary rightists as they called Franco's regime and their German and Italian allies.

You can't call Hitler a socialist and then ignore the nationalist part. Mussolini created this blending of right wing and left wing with his fascisim mishmash.

24 posted on 06/05/2004 9:26:14 PM PDT by Destro (Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorism by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
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To: Destro
It was the deep knowledge — and pray God we have not lost it — that there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest.

Never this way shall another pass like this...a grateful country and world will remember you.

25 posted on 06/05/2004 9:36:57 PM PDT by garbanzo (Free people will set the course of history)
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To: garbanzo
Never this way shall another pass like this....

God forbid.

26 posted on 06/05/2004 9:39:42 PM PDT by Destro (Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorism by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
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To: Destro

"A recession is when your neighbor looses his job. A depression is when you loose your job. A recovery begins when Jimmy Carter looses his job." Ronald Reagan (paraphrased)


27 posted on 06/05/2004 9:54:45 PM PDT by Sapper26 (Ronaldus Maximus 1911-2004 R.I.P Gip.)
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To: Destro
You can't call Hitler a socialist and then ignore the nationalist part.

OK but a National Socialist is still a socialist. The only real difference between the Nazi version and the communist version is who has nominal title to the means of production. No differance at all when it comes to who controls things, or with regard to individual rights. You will note that when Hitler attacked the Soviet Union, it suddenly became Mother Russian, so there was signifigent streak of nationalism there as well.

28 posted on 06/05/2004 10:23:51 PM PDT by El Gato (Federal Judges can twist the Constitution into anything.. Or so they think.)
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To: El Gato

All totalitarians are the same even if their causes are not.


29 posted on 06/05/2004 10:40:35 PM PDT by Destro (Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorism by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
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To: Destro

Reagan said that government isn't the solution, it's the problem... and that should be tattooed on every politicians' forehead the moment they take office. Tattooed in reverse, so they can read it in the mirror every morning.

What a bunch of statist control freaks we have now, in comparison to that once-brilliant mind of Reagan's...


30 posted on 06/06/2004 8:42:18 AM PDT by The Libertarian Dude (Liberty or security? Hell, I want BOTH.)
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To: Destro

Another...

"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."


31 posted on 06/06/2004 10:26:43 AM PDT by Tamzee (Noonan on Reagan, "...his leadership changed the world... As president, he was a giant.")
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To: Destro

And another you don't have, one of my favorites...

"Some People Spend An Entire Lifetime Wondering If They Made A Difference...Marines Don't Have That Problem"

President Ronald Reagan, 1985


32 posted on 06/06/2004 10:28:29 AM PDT by Tamzee (Noonan on Reagan, "...his leadership changed the world... As president, he was a giant.")
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To: The Libertarian Dude

Some like to be coggs in the state's machine. They think that is patriotisim.


33 posted on 06/06/2004 11:24:54 AM PDT by Destro (Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorism by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
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To: Destro

A patriot loves his country more than himself. That is the crucial test.


34 posted on 06/06/2004 1:46:45 PM PDT by meenie
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To: Destro
Re: . . . and more people are employed than ever before in our history.

The same can be said today. The number of working Americans, 138.5 million, is a level never previously attained in our history.

35 posted on 06/06/2004 1:53:38 PM PDT by ChadGore (Vote Bush. He's Earned It.)
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To: Destro

bump


36 posted on 06/06/2004 1:54:44 PM PDT by VOA
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To: ChadGore

Employment is not the issue - quality of salary is. If all those jobs are Walmart/Fastfood jobs what good does it do the nation? I would love to see what the breakdown of these jobs by salary.


37 posted on 06/06/2004 1:55:39 PM PDT by Destro (Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorism by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
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To: The Libertarian Dude
Reagan said that government isn't the solution, it's the problem... and that should be tattooed on every politicians' forehead the moment they take office. Tattooed in reverse, so they can read it in the mirror every morning. What a bunch of statist control freaks we have now, in comparison to that once-brilliant mind of Reagan's...

so, i'm wondering what Ronald Reagan would think of any sort of government sponsored memorial, statue, monument etc in his honor
38 posted on 06/06/2004 2:03:16 PM PDT by freedom moose (moosesµ¬e freedom and beer)
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To: freedom moose

I think he'd be flattered, but worried about the cost to the taxpayer.


39 posted on 06/07/2004 5:59:26 AM PDT by The Libertarian Dude (Liberty or security? Hell, I want BOTH.)
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To: meenie

Statists cannot be patriots.


40 posted on 06/07/2004 6:00:53 AM PDT by The Libertarian Dude (Liberty or security? Hell, I want BOTH.)
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