Honestly, Reagan doesnt really support the idea that a Democrat or Republican can make America great by using government, but nor does he support the idea that we can just tear it all down. You know, it has been said that politics is the second oldest profession and I've come to realize over the last few years, it bears a great similarity to the first. However,Reagan didnt just say Government is the problem, he said, In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.[1]. Putting America back to work means putting all Americans back to work. The central con of the political coalition assembled by Ronald Reagan and maintained by his successors was that government was a common enemy. The quotewas said in the context of a speech from hisfirst inaugural address about the late 1970s to early 1980s recession and stagflation, where he was pointing out that more taxes and regulations were notthe solution to the current economic crisis (that big government wasnt the solution in terms of economics). "32 Ronald Reagan Quotes You Should Know." Education is an exercise by means of which enough men, it is hoped, will learn to want what is worth having. Great nations have responsibilities to lead, and we should always be cautious of those who would lower our profile, because they might just wind up lowering our flag. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing.So with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. It knows no sectional boundaries or ethnic and racial divisions, and it crosses political party lines. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Ronald Reagan is often quoted as saying, " Government is the problem ," as if he had said this quote in isolation as a blanket statement. For the most part, and more than any of his fellow presidents since Coolidge, Reagan knew that there was no loftier achievement for any society than freedom. Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience. Whoever would understand in his heart the meaning of America will find it in the life of Abraham Lincoln.Beyond those moments -- those monuments to heroism is the Potomac River, and on the far shore the sloping hills of Arlington National Cemetery, with its row upon row of simple white markers bearing crosses or Stars of David. Protecting the rights of even the least individual among us is basically the only excuse the government has for even existing. It threatens to shatter the lives of millions of our people. Reagan grew up in a modest family. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead. I dont think a chief executive should peer constantly over the shoulders of the people who are in charge of a project and tell them every few minutes what to do. There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit. The solutions we seek must be equitable, with no one group singled out to pay a higher price. Thats the healthiest way to deal with a problem. And these will be our first priorities, and on these principles there will be no compromise.On the eve or our struggle for independence a man who mightve been one of the greatest among the Founding Fathers, Dr. Joseph Warren, president of the Massachusetts Congress, said to his fellow Americans,Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of. The purpose of our military is simple and straightforward: We want to prevent war by deterring others from the aggression that causes war. As a nation we began by declaring all men are created equal. We now practically read it, all men are created equal, except Negroes. When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read, all men are created equal, except Negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics. When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving libertyto Russia, for example, where despotism can be taken pure and without the base alloy of hypocrisy., http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/speed.htm. Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them. We're not rats', Rectorial address, Glasgow University - 1972, For Geoffrey Tozer: 'I have to say we all let him down', by Paul Keating - 2009, for James Baldwin: 'Jimmy. President Ronald Reagan certainly didn't. From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. Be prepared for disappointments.. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book. The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. President Reagan said it exactly. When action is required to preserve our national security, we will act. Why then should we think that collectively, as a nation, we are not bound by that same limitation?We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow. for Caitlin & Johnny - 2015, Korey Soderman (via Kyle): 'All our lives I have used my voice to help Korey express his thoughts, so today, like always, I will be my brothers voice' for Kyle and Jess - 2014, Bruce Springsteen: 'They're keepers of some of the most beautiful sonic architecture in rock and roll', Induction U2 into Rock Hall of Fame - 2005, Olivia Colman: 'Done that bit. ThoughtCo, Apr. Senator Hatfield, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. President, Vice President Bush, Vice President Mondale, Senator Baker, Speaker ONeill, Reverend Moomaw, and my fellow citizens:To a few of us here today this is a solemn and most momentous occasion. "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. You and I, as individuals, can, by borrowing, live beyond our means, but for only a limited period of time. Reagan said those words, but they were part of a longer sentence that seems to be very frequently taken out of context. The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never been unwilling to pay that price.It is no coincidence that our present troubles parallel and are proportionate to the intervention and intrusion in our lives that result from unnecessary and excessive growth of Government.It is time for us to realize that we are too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams. Did It Work? Government is the problem. Their patriotism is quiet but deep. Top 5 quotes from Ronald Reagan. We have every right to dream heroic dreams.Those who say that were in a time when there are no heroes -- they just dont know where to look. When it reaches 25 percent, there comes an increase in lawlessness. Our site is not officially associated with any brand or government entity. Maybe if theres a feeling that you can be of service then you feel you have to do it. Their values sustain our national life.Now I have used the words they and their in speaking of these heroes. Todaypeople often treat the quote as if it applied to any issue of government, but Reagan didnt say it that way, and Reagan didnt govern that way. In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. Please, enable JavaScript and reload the page to enjoy our modern features. We in government should learn to look at our country with the eyes of the entrepreneur, seeing possibilities where others see only problems. While I take inspiration from the past like most Americans, I live for the future. Ronald Reagan served two terms as President of the United States, from 1981 to 1989. Our progress in degeneracy appears to me pretty rapid. Talk about nuance.? If any were, business would steal them away. What do you say about someone whos always there with support and understanding, someone who makes sacrifices so that your life will be easier and more successful? Bothincome taxes andcapital gains taxes. Well, what you say is that you love that person and treasure her. This may not sound too exciting, but there is something magnificent about it. Ronald Reagan Freedom is the recognition that no single person, no single authority or government has a monopoly on the truth, but that every individual life is infinitely precious, that every one of us put in this world has been put there for a reason and has something to offer. I try to learn from the past, but I plan for the future by focusing exclusively on the present. Ive always believed that this blessed land was set apart in a special way, that some divine plan placed this great continent here between the oceans to be found by people from every corner of the Earth who had a special love for freedom and the courage to uproot themselves, leave homeland and friends, to come to a strange land. The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much. If men were angels, no government would be necessary. Or it was until the Federal government added Federal interference to Federal financial aid and eroded educational quality in the process. Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? If the former U.S. President wanted to be clear on something, it was the fact that the Government should protect its people. It'd still be waiting for an environmental impact statement. The Declaration of Independence flames with his eloquence. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. Well preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or well sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. And because he was too much of a nice guy, he probably didnt fire or criticize enough bad apples in government. Up until then, it seemed as though freedom was losing every battle, everywhere. History shows that when the taxes of a nation approach about 20% of the peoples income, there begins to be a lack of respect for government When it reaches 25%, there comes an increase in lawlessness. Idle industries have cast workers into unemployment, human misery and personal indignity.Those who do work are denied a fair return for their labor by a tax system which penalizes successful achievement and keeps us from maintaining full productivity. Votes: 3, The central con of the political coalition assembled by Ronald Reagan and maintained by his successors was that government was a common enemy. They will not go away in days, weeks, or months, but they will go away. And I thank you and your people for all your help in maintaining the continuity which is the bulwark of our republic.The business of our nation goes forward.These United States are confronted with an economic affliction of great proportions. When words you hear are not the words you hear there may be some appropriate intervention. RT @GoogleExpertUK: "I think that one of the things is that people keep looking to government for the answer and GOVERNMENT is the problem!" Ronald Reagan 40th . Votes: 2 Ronald Reagan No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat. And America, above all places, gives us the freedom to do that. President Ronald Reagan certainly didn't. He did not say it verbatim, but he is often quoted it as saying it verbatim. Melissa Giller has been the chief marketing officer at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation . All great change in America begins at the dinner table. President, I want our fellow citizens to know how much you did to carry on this tradition. The solutions we seek must be equitable, with no one group singled out to pay a higher price. . Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. What does it mean whether you hold the deed or the title to your business or property if the government holds the power of life and death over that business or property? We can offer them no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us. Reagan believed in government, but he didnt believe in a government run bycronies and elitesand dependent on debt. "32 Ronald Reagan Quotes You Should Know." TIP: Today we arent in Reagans early 1981crisis, the tax rates are much lower and debt is much higher (every President has grown it, Democrat and Republican). The solutions we seek must be equitable with no one group singled out to pay a higher price. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves. Originally a liberal Democrat, Reagan ran for the U.S. presidency as a Republican and won two terms, beginning in 1980, ultimately becoming a conservative icon over the ensuing decades. How do you tell a communist? I've noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born. At the time, Reagan was the only film actor and the oldest person elected to the U.S. presidency. The nine most terrifying words in the English launguage are, "I"m from the Government and I'm here to help." Votes: 0, You can see it in the worship of [Ronald] Reagan, which portrays him as somebody who saved us from government. Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement. The former president is known for his policies that have been credited with contributing to the demise of Soviet communism. Our forbearance should never be misunderstood. . We hear much of special interest groups. 163 likes All Members Who Liked This Quote Sree 2 books view quotes Government isn't the problem, as the pandemic makes clear Ronald Reagan said in his 1981 inaugural address that "government is not the solution to our problem, government is the. We hear much of special interest groups. ', Illustrator of the Year, British Book Awards - 2018, Tina Fey: 'Only in comedy is an obedient white girl from the suburbs a diversity candidate', Kennedy Center Mark Twain Award - 2010, Sacha Baron Cohen: 'Just think what Goebbels might have done with Facebook', Anti Defamation League Leadership Award - 2019, Greta Thunberg: 'How dare you', UN Climate Action Summit - 2019, Charlie Munger: 'The Psychology of Human Misjudgment', Harvard University - 1995, Lawrence O'Donnell: 'The original sin of this country is that we invaders shot and murdered our way across the land killing every Native American that we could', The Last Word, 'Dakota' - 2016. Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? 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Hayeks The Road to Serfdom Explained, Capital in the Twenty-First Century By Thomas Piketty Explained, Andrew Carnegies Gospel of Wealth Explained and Annotated, Lincolns Letter to Joshua Speed on Slavery and Know-Nothings Annotated and Explained, Oscar Wildes The Soul of Man Under Socialism Explained, How Isaac Newton Actually Lost His Money in the South Sea Bubble, The Main Differences Between Trump, Biden, and Bernie On HealthCare, Capitalism Works Because Capital is a Built-in Incentive, Why People Call Left-Wingers Commies as an Insult, The Philosophy Behind the Types of Governments, the late 1970s to early 1980s recession and stagflation, Ronald Reagan .. Government is the problem., Ronald Reagan Second Inaugural Address Monday, January 21, 1985, Reagans actual record and policy positions, general Conservative strategy since the 1920s, Full Show 11/11/15: How Reaganomics Killed Americas Middle Class, Stockman: Reaganomics Would Have Worked If Tried, C-SPAN: President Reagan 1981 Inaugural Address, Ronald Reagan Inaugural Address January 20, 1981. Votes: 3, Government is like a baby. Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets. Why, then, should we think that collectively, as a nation, were not bound by that same limitation? If we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday at a time of presidential inaugurals, this is thanks to Ronald Reagan who created the holiday, and not to the Democratic Congress of the Carter years, which rejected it. We suffer from the longest and one of the worst sustained inflations in our national history. Below is an excerpt from Reagans speech so you can decide what you think the quote means in context for yourself. Votes: 2, No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Well the answer is an unequivocal and emphatic "Yes." For three decades, we have sought to solve the problems of unemployment through government planning, and the more the plans fail, the more the planners plan. Ronald Reagan: Quotes Government The Government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a healthy appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other. We will match loyalty with loyalty. ~ Ronald Reagan Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. Hopes became political rhetoric. Biography of Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States, Top 6 Key U.S. Presidential Foreign Policy Doctrines, Go Back in Time With This 1980s History Timeline, Jimmy Carter- Facts on the 39th President, Biography of Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States, What the President of the United States Does, Gerald Ford: President of the United States, 1974-1977, Tear Down This Wall! The numbers dont lie. My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose - somehow we win out. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/ronald-reagan-quotes-you-should-know-1779926. I wish he had vetoed more bills. I hope we once again have reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. Then into the White House came a man of boundless optimism, of infectious confidence in American freedom and exceptionalism. I will never forget his uncanny ability to put one immediately at ease and to show interest in whoever he was talking to. We are never defeated unless we give up on God. If it keeps moving, regulate it. Well our concern must be for a special interest group that has been too long neglected. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. We will always be prepared, so we will always be free. 739 Copy quote. It does require, however, our best effort, and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great deeds; to believe that together with Gods help we can and will resolve the problems which now confront us.And after all, why shouldnt we believe that? Can only hope we get another President like Ronald Regan or Donald Trump in 2024..and if they come into office with the intention of reducing the enormity and numerous overlapping and unproductive layers of government, the Washington establishment (swamp) will certainly be quick to label them as a nut-job. Like it was yesterday, I remember his smashing victory in the North Carolina primary, then his sweep of every delegate in Texas, followed by a nail-biting, narrow loss to Ford at the GOP convention. Indeed, the quote is generally used out of context. But great as our tax burden is, it has not kept pace with public spending. You can't accuse the creator of The Boondocks, Jesus was black, Ronald Reagan was the devil and the government is lying about 9/11. All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden. It is time to reawaken this industrial giant, to get government back within its means, and to lighten our punitive tax burden. To destroy this invisible government, to dissolve the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of the day. Votes: 2, One way to make sure crime doesn't pay would be to let the government run it. We do ourselves a service to get re-acquainted with that notion. A people free to choose will always choose peace. Not the kind that doesnt know what they are saying. The nine most terrifying words in the English language are "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.". About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . It knows no sectional boundaries or ethnic and racial divisions, and it crosses political party lines. The government's goals sometimes don't align with the nation's goals. Doesnt matter how successful or how well liked you have been up to then. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you dont care who gets the credit. -President Ronald Reagan. Thank you very much. Education is not the means of showing people how to get what they want. The former U.S. president loved America exactly for its diversity. Ronald Reagan is often quoted as saying, Government is the problem, as if he had said this quote in isolation as a blanket statement. Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. The vast majority of people Only remember then government is the problem the Vast Majority. And this makes us special among the nations of the Earth. Well, our concern must be for a special interest group that has been too long neglected. On the tenth anniversary of his death, we present the 15 Ronald Reagan quotes every business leader needs to know by heart: 1. Depression is when you lose yours. Madison and Jefferson believed in the key ideas: All men are created equal, inalienable rights, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Notice the first word is ALL not some so limited government leads to just some men representing some of the people. Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them. Wow, Im the first to comment in 2021! It would be fitting and good, I think, if on each inaugural day in future years it should be declared a day of prayer.This is the first time in our history that this ceremony has been held, as youve been told, on this West Front of the Capitol.Standing here, one faces a magnificent vista, opening up on this citys special beauty and history. America is the moral force that defeated communism and all those who would put the human soul itself into bondage. History teaches that war begins when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap. Votes: 0, I believe in making government as Ronald Reagan said. They will go away because we as Americans have the capacity now, as we have had in the past, to do whatever needs to be done to preserve this last and greatest bastion of freedom.In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. It is time to check and reverse the growth of government, which shows signs of having grown beyond the consent of the governed.\" If it keeps moving, regulate it. The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help. Votes: 2, Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives. When you start talking about government as 'we' instead of 'they,' you have been in office too long. Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them. Votes: -1, Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. With the idealism and fair play which are the core of our system and our strength, we can have a strong and prosperous America, at peace with itself and the world.So, as we begin, let us take inventory. Not the distributor of gifts and privilege but once again the protector of our liberties. Directly in front of me, the monument to a monumental man. Did he say it, or didnt he? If the federal government had been around when the Creator was putting His hand to this state, Indiana wouldn't be here. Votes: 2, People do not make wars; governments do. Votes: 4 Communism and the Soviet Union, B.A., History, University of California at Davis. Thanks for clarifying that. Today, if you invent a better mousetrap, the government comes along with a better mouse. If it keeps moving, regulate it. I dont take too seriously the statement of positions in advance of negotiations. Governments view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. A rising tide lifts all boats, but the shifting of money into the pockets of the wealthy alsohad some nasty effects (like high end stores saw more business but low-end stores suffered). more information Accept. All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden. Rosenberg, Jennifer. He goes on for a full speech about exactly what he means. Thomas Jefferson once said, "We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works."