What Would Ronnie Say?

Some of my favorite historical reads are those focused on Ronald Reagan (Dutch is classic for me). I adore this man. Not because he was a Republican but because he was true to his Conservative principles and to the Constitution. While driving to work today, I was reminded of a quote of his. Of course, it made perfect sense and reflected his simple eloquence: "Don't trust me, trust yourself." Pure truth that will stand the test of time. The world we lived in then was much different than the world we live in now. Who would have thought that dealing with the Communist would be far preferable to dealing with extreme religious fundamentalists? It's amazing to look back and see how Ronnie's words can be applied to our current political and economic situations. Check it out (my comments in red):

A people free to choose will always choose peace. Another way to say this would be, without freedom, there can be no peace.

Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have. Still true today, which brings us back to the first quote above.

Approximately 80% of our air pollution stems from hydrocarbons released by vegetation, so let's not go overboard in setting and enforcing tough emission standards from man-made sources. Can you say, "Climategate"?

Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States. Amen, Brother! As small business owners, we feel a daily obligation to keep our team employed, serve our clients to the best of our ability and fuel this economy. The whole idea behind business it to MAKE MONEY...so don't regulate or tax us to death. This economy will continue to fail on the back of the government. Let us do our jobs as entrepreneurs!

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. Never before have the freedoms of our children been so at risk. Perhaps we've become complacent or accustomed to the rights we have. Snap out of it! This is a great country when propped up by Constitutional principles. Why are we straying from them?

Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets. Our current administration is proving this point. I would also add that government finds a way to get the money for whatever need is creates (tax hikes, subsidies, etc etc).

Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves. Sadly, people are losing faith in themselves and government is not helping the situation. When the government is constantly communicating to us that we can't possibly take care of ourselves, we start believing it.

Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. Truer words have never been spoken.

Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. No success can come of this strategy. The Founding Fathers would be shocked to see how our elected officials ignore the Constitution when making decisions. Government should be a representation of the will of the people, not a over-taxing, hyper-regulatory, subsidy-loving monster.

Don't you just love Ronnie?