Wednesday, January 16, 2013

'Unleashed Energy and Individual Genius'

Finding inspiration at Hearst Castle
"If we look to the answer as to why for so many years we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on earth, it is because here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before. Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on earth. 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. We're 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." ~~ Ronald Reagan, January 20, 1981, in his first inaugural address.

2 comments:

Joanne Wilson said...

My favorite president of my lifetime. He had so much wisdom. This quote smacks of the premise presented in the book, "The 5000 Year Leap, A Miracle that Changed the World". It is a great read. President Reagan wanted to make it required reading in the country's high schools, but the idea was struck down by the opposition party, since they have a different agenda.

Cherie said...

Yes, a different agenda indeed.