Ronald Wilson Reagan, 1911 – 2004
Born: 6 February 1911, Tampico, Illinois
Died: 5 June 2004, Bel Air, Los Angeles, California
Reagan’s family lived in several Illinois towns during his youth, and he attended Eureka Collage at Eureka, Illinois. He drove to Iowa and auditioned at several small-town radio stations before developing his skill as a sportscaster. While traveling with the Chicago Cubs in 1937 he took a screen test at Warner Brothers who signed him to a seven year contract. Reagan enlisted in the Army Reserves and was called to active duty but because of his eyesight was assigned to Army Air Force public relations where his unit produced some 400 films. He served as an officer, then president for seven years, of the Screen Actors Guild. He worked for GE as a television host, public spokesperson, and motivational speaker. He came to national political prominence with his speeches on behalf of Barry Goldwater’s presidential campaign in 1964. He served two terms (1967-1975) as governor of California before his first presidential bid in 1976 in which he narrowly lost the Republican nomination to Gerald Ford. He defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980 and was reelected in 1984. Five years after he left office he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Based on an early motion picture role he was called “The Gipper.” Based on his easy resonance with audiences he was sometimes called “The Great Communicator.” I never voted for him, but his successors often made me miss him. And he definitely was quotable.
Ronald Wilson Reagan quotes:
A troubled and afflicted mankind looks to us, pleading for us to keep our rendezvous with destiny; that we will uphold the principles of self-reliance, self-discipline, morality, and, above all, responsible liberty for every individual that we will become that shining city on a hill.
Ronald Reagan
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.
Ronald Reagan
Abraham Lincoln freed the black man. In many ways, Dr. King freed the white man. How did he accomplish this tremendous feat? Where others – white and black – preached hatred, he taught the principles of love and nonviolence.
Ronald Reagan
America’s view of apartheid is simple and straightforward: We believe it is wrong. We condemn it. And we are united in hoping for the day when apartheid will be no more.
Ronald Reagan
Anyone that’s ever had their kitchen done over knows that it never gets done as soon as you wish it would.
Ronald Reagan
Damn it, Pierre, what do you want me to do? We’ll go sit with empty chairs to get those guys back to the table. (To Pierre Trudeau, prime minister of Canada)
Ronald Reagan
Democracy is not a fragile flower; still it needs cultivating.
Ronald Reagan
Double – no triple – our troubles, and we’d still be better off than any other people on earth.
Ronald Reagan
Even Albert Einstein reportedly needed help on his 1040 form.
Ronald Reagan
Every new day begins with possibilities.
Ronald Reagan
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 the price.
Ronald Reagan
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
Ronald Reagan
Government is the people’s business and every man, woman and child becomes a shareholder with the first penny of tax paid.
Ronald Reagan
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.
Ronald Reagan
Here’s my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose.
Ronald Reagan
