Former Presedent Reagan's Speech still holds truth and shows the need for change
Posted June 28, 2007
From his
Inaugural Address
Ronald Reagan, 1981
We are a nation that has a governmentnot the other way around. And this makes us special among the nations of the earth.
Our government has no power except that granted it by the people. It is time to check and reverse the growth of government which shows signs of having grown beyond the consent of the governed
All of usall of us need to be reminded that the federal government did not create the states; the states created the federal government. Now, so there will be misunderstanding, its not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it workwork with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it
It is time for us to realize that we are too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams. Were not, as some would have us believe, doomed to an inevitable decline; I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. 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. Let us renew our determination, our courage and our strength.
And let us renew our faith and our hope.
