The Gipper. The Great Communicator. “Ronnie.”
Whatever he was called, President Ronald Reagan is now fondly remembered as one of the greatest leaders in our nation’s history, and his legacy speaks of his love for America and commitment to our founding principles.
Reagan inspired us. He called us to something greater than ourselves. And at the core of Reagan’s philosophy was his belief in America. He believed in the people of America—a belief that seems lost on too many of our lawmakers in Washington today.
Although Reagan may not be on the ballot this year, we can still support the conservative principles he stood for and the values he held dear. The principles of the Reagan administration can be brought back to life when we back Reaganism in 2012!
And although he is often heralded as a great supporter of conservative politics, what did Reagan actually believe? More important, what did Reagan do and what can we learn from it?
Take this short quiz and test your knowledge. Find out how our nation’s current administration and Congress would hold up against the conservative policies of the Gipper.
Government is the problem »
What did Reagan believe government assistance programs should do?
In a speech accepting the 1984 nomination, Reagan looked back on the first four years of his administration. He addressed some of the policies of his opponents and said, “Government became a drug, providing temporary relief, but addiction as well. . . . Pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into programs in order to make people worse off was irrational and unfair. It was time we ended this reliance on the government process and renewed our faith in the human process.”
Do you think our current government could take a lesson from the Reagan playbook?
Source: Reagan’s Remarks Accepting the Presidential Nomination (August 23, 1984)
Bring back Reaganomics »
What did Reagan do when faced with a slowing economy?
Reagan said: “There are four essential economic freedoms. First is the freedom to work. Second of those freedoms is the freedom to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor. Third is the freedom to own and control one’s property. Fourth is the freedom to participate in a free market—to contract freely for goods and services and to achieve one’s full potential without government limits on opportunity, economic independence, and growth.”
Instead of raising taxes or looking for “new” solutions to economic problems, our lawmakers would do well to learn from history and implement proven means of growth: cut the red tape strangling our nation’s small businesses, ease the tax burden on all Americans, and reform out-of-control entitlement programs.
Source: Remarks Announcing America’s Economic Bill of Rights (July 3, 1987)
Our 1st Responsibility »
What did Reagan do to protect America?
In our current political climate, Americans are calling for a return to fiscal sanity. But instead of cutting spending on entitlement programs or reforming Medicare or Social Security, our leaders today look to the Defense Department. They want to cut military spending—a dangerous move for our national security. President Reagan had it right: “National security is government’s first responsibility. . . . You know, we only have a military-industrial complex until a time of danger, and then it becomes the arsenal of democracy. Spending for defense is investing in things that are priceless—peace and freedom.”
We must urge lawmakers to make cuts in the right places—without sacrificing our national defense.
Source: State of the Union Address (February 6, 1985)
Truly Exceptional »
What did Reagan believe is so great about the U.S. Constitution?
Reagan said, “Why is the Constitution of the United States so exceptional? Well, the difference is so small that it almost escapes you, but it’s so great it tells you the whole story in just three words: We the people. In our Constitution, we the people tell the government what it can do, and it can do only those things listed in that document and no others, because here in America, we the people are in charge.”
Although our current government is overstepping its constitutionally defined boundaries at an alarming rate, we the people have the right and the responsibility to tell the government what it can do. We must make the case for a limited government that does not encroach on the lives of American citizens.
Source: Reagan’s State of the Union Address (January 27, 1987)
Mandate of Leadership »
What did Reagan know is the mandate of all elected presidents?
As our country enters a pivotal year, we would do well to keep this in mind. Our leaders have a responsibility—and take an oath—to uphold and defend our Constitution. As Ronald Reagan said, “All who are elected to serve in our national government have one unmistakable and undeniable mandate: to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. To this—this foremost—they must always be attentive. For a President, it means protecting his office and its place in our constitutional framework. In doing that, the President is accountable to the people in the most direct way, accountable to history and to his own conscience.”
Source: Reagan’s Remarks and Q&A at the University of Virginia (December 16, 1988)