Opinion
 

Reagan's own words say it best for nation

By Ken Stocks

As a conservative, I consider President Reagan to be our finest president. He defeated communism and decreased taxes and the size of government. His leadership created the modern conservative movement, and I proudly call myself a Reagan-style conservative.

Reaganis speech introducing Barry Goldwater at the 1964 Republican Convention set the tone for his political career and voiced his view on statesi rights:

"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."

I believe that we live in a republic -- a collection of states -- and that the federal government has become bloated and needs to be reduced. In his inaugural address in 1981, President Reagan followed up on the statesi rights theme:

"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 at restoring the balance between the various levels of government."

In the same inaugural address, Reagan summed up my feelings about big government: "Government is not the solution. Itis the problem."

Many think of conservatives as the party of the rich, but that is far from the truth. During his presidential campaign, Reagan said, "We have to move ahead, but we are not going to leave anyone behind." 

Reagan showed that smaller taxes and government benefited all people. He best explained the success of conservative policies this way:

"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."

Reagan could show great humor, as in this joke made while checking his microphone before a speech:

"My fellow Americans, Iim pleased to tell you today that Iive signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."

But Reagan had a serious side, as when he challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall:

"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."

It is often said that behind every great man stands a great woman, and Nancy Reagan is no exception. The love shared by Ron and Nancy was inspiring to us all. This excerpt from one of Ronaldis letters to Nancy says it best: 

"If I ache, itis because we are apart and yet that canit be, because you are inside and a part of me, so we really arenit apart at all. Yet I ache, but wouldnit be without the ache, because that would mean being without you and that I canit be because I love you."

All of our love and respect goes out to the family of President Reagan. He was a great president and his words and actions will live long into the future. Let me end with one final quote from Reagan from his announcement to the world that he had Alzheimeris disease:

"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."

Ken Stocks, a columnist for The Daily Cougar, 
can be reached at dccampus@mail.uh.edu.