"When a conservative quotes Jefferson that government that is closest to the people is best, it is because he knows that Jefferson risked his life, his fortune and his sacred honor to make certain that what he and his fellow patriots learned from experience was not crushed by an ideology of empire."
"Elected officials, their appointees, and government workers are expected to perform their public acts with honesty, openness, diligence, and special integrity."
"Only now and then do we in the West hear a voice from out of that darkness. Then there is silence -- the silence of human slavery."
"Our party must be the party of the individual. It must not sell out the individual to cater to the group. No greater challenge faces our society today than ensuring that each one of us can maintain his dignity and his identity in an increasingly complex, centralized society."
"You can't be for big government, big taxes and big bureaucracy and still be for the little guy."
 |
| "In this springtime of hope, some lights seem eternal; America's is. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America." |
The President: "The choices this year are not just between two different personalities or between two political parties. They're between two different visions of the future, two fundamentally different ways of governing -- their government of pessimism, fear, and limits, or ours of hope, confidence, and growth. Their government sees people only as members of groups; ours serves all the people of America as individuals. Theirs lives in the past, seeking to apply the old and failed policies to an era that has passed them by. Ours learns from the past and strives to change by boldly charting a new course for the future. Pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into programs in order to make people worse off was irrational and unfair. It was time we ended this reliance on the government process and renewed our faith in the human process.
In 1980 the people decided with us that the economic crisis was not caused by the fact that they lived too well. Government lived too well. It was time for tax increases to be an act of last resort, not of first resort.The people told the liberal leadership in Washington, ``Try shrinking the size of government before you shrink the size of our paychecks.''
Our government was also in serious trouble abroad. We had aircraft that couldn't fly and ships that couldn't leave port. Many of our military were on food stamps because of meager earnings, and reenlistments were down. Ammunition was low, and spare parts were in short supply.Many of our allies mistrusted us. In the 4 years before we took office, country after country fell under the Soviet yoke. Since January 20th, 1981, not 1 inch of soil has fallen to the Communists.
Audience: 4 more years! 4 more years! 4 more years!
The President: All right.
Audience: 4 more years! 4 more years! 4 more years!
The President: But worst of all, Americans were losing the confidence and optimism about the future that has made us unique in the world. Parents were beginning to doubt that their children would have the better life that has been the dream of every American generation. We can all be proud that pessimism is ended. America is coming back and is more confident than ever about the future. Tonight, we thank the citizens of the United States whose faith and unwillingness to give up on themselves or this country saved us all. Today, our combat troops have come home. Our students are safe, and freedom is what we left behind in Grenada. There are some who've forgotten why we have a military. It's not to promote war; it's to be prepared for peace. There's a sign over the entrance to Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State, and that sign says it all: ``Peace is our profession.'' Our next administration -- --
Audience: 4 more years! 4 more years! 4 more years!
The President: All right.
Audience: 4 more years! 4 more years! 4 more years!
The President: I heard you. And that administration will be committed to completing the unfinished agenda that we've placed before the Congress and the Nation. It is an agenda which calls upon the national Democratic leadership to cease its obstructionist ways.
Our policy is simple: We are not going to betray our friends, reward the enemies of freedom, or permit fear and retreat to become American policies -- especially in this hemisphere. None of the four wars in my lifetime came about because we were too strong. It's weakness that invites adventurous adversaries to make mistaken judgments. America is the most peaceful, least warlike nation in modern history. We are not the cause of all the ills of the world. We're a patient and generous people. But for the sake of our freedom and that of others, we cannot permit our reserve to be confused with a lack of resolve. Ten months ago, we displayed this resolve in a mission to rescue American students on the imprisoned island of Grenada. Democratic candidates have suggested that this could be likened to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the crushing of human rights in Poland or the genocide in Cambodia.
Audience: Boo-o-o!
The President: Could you imagine Harry Truman, John Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, or Scoop Jackson making such a shocking comparison?
Audience: NO!
The President: Nineteen of our fine young men lost their lives on Grenada, and to even remotely compare their sacrifice to the murderous actions taking place in Afghanistan is unconscionable.
Why are we here? What do we believe in? Well for one thing, we're here to see that government continues to serve the people and not the other way around. Yes, government should do all that is necessary, but only that which is necessary.
We don't lump people by groups or special interests. And let me add, in the party of Lincoln, there is no room for intolerance and not even a small corner for anti-Semitism or bigotry of any kind. Many people are welcome in our house, but not the bigots.
We believe in the uniqueness of each individual. We believe in the sacredness of human life. For some time now we've all fallen into a pattern of describing our choice as left or right. It's become standard rhetoric in discussions of political philosophy. But is that really an accurate description of the choice before us?
Go back a few years to the origin of the terms and see where left or right would take us if we continued far enough in either direction. Stalin. Hitler. One would take us to Communist totalitarianism; the other to the totalitarianism of Hitler. Isn't our choice really not one of left or right, but of up or down? Down through the welfare state to statism, to more and more government largesse accompanied always by more government authority, less individual liberty and, ultimately, totalitarianism, always advanced as for our own good. The alternative is the dream conceived by our Founding Fathers, up to the ultimate in individual freedom consistent with an orderly society.
We don't celebrate dependence day on the Fourth of July. We celebrate Independence Day.
Audience: U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
The President: We celebrate the right of each individual to be recognized as unique, possessed of dignity and the sacred right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. At the same time, with our independence goes a generosity of spirit more evident here than in almost any other part of the world. Recognizing the equality of all men and women, we're willing and able to lift the weak, cradle those who hurt, and nurture the bonds that tie us together as one nation under God. Finally, we're here to shield our liberties, not just for now or for a few years but forever. Could I share a personal thought with you tonight, because tonight's kind of special to me. It's the last time, of course, that I will address you under these same circumstances. I hope you'll invite me back to future conventions. Nancy and I will be forever grateful for the honor you've done us, for the opportunity to serve, and for your friendship and trust.
I began political life as a Democrat, casting my first vote in 1932 for Franklin Delano Roosevelt. That year, the Democrats called for a 25-percent reduction in the cost of government by abolishing useless commissions and offices and consolidating departments and bureaus, and giving more authority to State governments. As the years went by and those promises were forgotten, did I leave the Democratic Party, or did the leadership of that party leave not just me but millions of patriotic Democrats who believed in the principles and philosophy of that platform? One of the first to declare this was a former Democratic nominee for President-Al Smith, the Happy Warrior, who went before the Nation in 1936 to say, on television—or on radio that he could no longer follow his party's leadership and that he was "taking a walk." As Democratic leaders have taken their party further and further away from its first principles, it's no surprise that so many responsible Democrats feel that our platform is closer to their views, and we welcome them to our side.
Four years ago we raised a banner of bold colors—no pale pastels. We proclaimed a dream of an America that would be "a shining city on a hill." We promised that we'd reduce the growth of the Federal Government, and we have. We said we intended to reduce interest rates and inflation, and we have. We said we would reduce taxes to provide incentives for individuals and business to get our economy moving again, and we have. We said there must be jobs with a future for our people, not government make-work programs, and, in the last 19 months, as I've said, 6 1/2 million new jobs in the private sector have been created. We said we would once again be respected throughout the world, and we are. We said we would restore our ability to protect our freedom on land, sea, and in the air, and we have. We bring to the American citizens in this election year a record of accomplishment and the promise of continuation. We came together in a national crusade to make America great again, and to make a new beginning.
Well, now it's all coming together. With our beloved nation at peace, we're in the midst of a springtime of hope for America. Greatness lies ahead of us."--Remarks Accepting the Presidential Nomination at the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas August 23, 1984 (Full Text.)
Bright Dawn Ahead-UPDATE: Reagan Biographer Craig Shirley talks with Monica Crowley about his new book Reagan Rising:The Decisive Years, 1976-1980
 |
| "They underestimated me, too, Donald!" |
Monica Crowley: "I WANT TO BEGIN WITH THE IDEA OF MOVEMENTS.
SO BEFORE THE POPULIST MOVEMENT LED BY ONE MAN DONALD TRUMP WE HAVE THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT LED LARGELY BY ONE MAN RONALD REAGAN. GOLDWATER GOT THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT BALL ROLLING IN 1964, REAGAN PICKED IT UP IN 1976 AND IT TOOK IT OVER THE FINISH LINE IN 1980.
WHAT REAGAN SET APART FROM OTHER REPUBLICAN AND CONSERVATIVE LEADERS THAT ESTABLISHED HIM AS INTELLECTUAL POLITICAL AND PRACTICAL LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT?
Craig Shirley: "REAGAN WAS DIFFERENT IN THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SINCE THE TIME OF 1972 UP UNTIL 1976 HAD BEEN PARTY OF THE FUTURE. AND AS HENRY LUCE SAID, AMERICA IS THE COUNTRY OF THE FUTURE. AND WE AS AMERICANS HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN A BETTER FUTURE OR OURSELVES AND FOR OUR CHILDREN. THAT'S PART OF BEING AN AMERICAN. IT MAKES US UNLIKE ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD AND WE ALWAYS BELIEVE THAT WE CAN IMPROVE OUR LIVES AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN AND WE CAN IMPROVE OUR ECONOMY. WE CAN IMPROVE OUR RIGHTS. WE'RE ALWAYS IN THE SEARCH OF A MORE PERFECT UNION.
AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, FROM THE TIME OF FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT WHOSE THEME WAS "HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN" THROUGH JOHN KENNEDY'S "LET"S GET THIS COUNTRY MOVING AGAIN"-- WAS THE PARTY OF THE FUTURE FROM 1932 THROUGH 1976. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAD BEEN THE GREEN EYE SHADE [ACCOUNTANTS], EAT YOUR SPINACH, THE PARTY OF BALANCED BUDGETS--NO YOU CAN'T DO THIS. NO YOU CAN'T DO THAT. THE UNCLE WHO WAS ALWAYS SAYING NO TO THE KIDS. AND OUR ONLY REJOINDER WAS WE'RE THE PARTY THAT CAN RUN GOVERNMENT BETTER THAN DEMOCRATS. THAT ISN'T A VERY COMPELLING MESSAGE, LET'S FACE IT,
CARTER DID SOMETHING REMARKABLE IN 1976. HE THROWS AWAY THE MANTLE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS THE PARTY OF THE FUTURE. HE EMBRACES A FUTURE OF SCARCITY AND OF SACRIFICE. NOW PART OF IT IS BECAUSE OF HIS CULTURE HE'S A FOOT-WASHIN BAPTIST-- DON'T SMOKE, DON'T DRINK, DON'T DANCE, THAT YOUR LIFE ON A THIS PLANET IS MEANT TO BE A SACRIFICE AND SAY NO TO TEMPTATIONS. AND TO ACHIEVE A BETTER AFTERLIFE. BUT CULTURAL OUTLOOK COMBINED WITH HIS OWN PERSONAL SOUTHERN BAPTIST OUTLOOK AND COMBINED WITH A MORE PREVALENT OUTLOOK AT THE TIME. ONE OF THE FAMOUS BOOKS AT THE TIME WAS 'THE CULTURE OF NARCISSISM' -- THE LEFT IS ALSO PREACHING THIS -- FUTURE IS NO GOOD FOR ALL OF US. REMEMBER 'THE POPULATION BOMB' AND BOOKS THAT PREDICTED WORLDWIDE FAMINE. WORLDWIDE STARVATION AND WORLDWIDE NUCLEAR WAR? AND THE LEFT ADOPTS THIS AT THE SAME TIME CARTER IS ELECTED PRESIDENT SO HE MAKES THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY INTO THE PARTY OF THE PAST AND FEARING OF THE FUTURE.
AND AS THIS IS HAPPENING, REAGAN IS ALWAYS PERSONALLY OPTIMISTIC BUT NOW HIS OWN MESSAGE BEGINS TO CHANGE. THE GOLDWATER SPEECH [IN 1964]-- IS A GREAT SPEECH AND IT IS HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT BUT REAGAN IS OFTEN ANGRY AT LYNDON JOHNSON AND ANGRY AT THE GREAT SOCIETY.
BY 1977, '78, AND '79, HIS FUNDAMENTAL CONSERVATISM HASN'T CHANGED BUT HIS DELIVERY OF FUNDAMENTAL CONSERVATISM HAS. HE'S TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE, OPPORTUNITY, PROSPERITY, HE'S TALKING ABOUT 'WE CAN DEFEAT THE SOVIET UNION' AND THAT WAS RADICAL AT THE TIME.
GOVERNMENT IS NOT THE PANACEA. RELY ON YOURSELF. RELY ON YOUR COMMUNITY. THE GOVERNMENT THAT GOVERNS BEST IS THE ONE CLOSEST TO YOU. HE REINTRODUCES OPTIMISTIC CONSERVATISM TO THE AMERICAN POLITICAL LEXICON AND THE DEMOCRATIC RISES UP TO BECOME THE PARTY OF THE FUTURE AND REAGAN SEIZES IT BACK.
SO IT COMPORTED WELL WITH HIM BECAUSE HE WAS A NATURALLY OPTIMISTIC
PERSON, AND I WON'T SAY HAPPY-GO-LUCKY BECAUSE THAT IS SUPERFICIAL. HE THOUGHT DEEPLY ABOUT THINGS, HE READ GREATLY. HE HAD ALL -- YOU KNOW HAD AN ECONOMICS DEGREE BUT IT WAS NEVER STATIC BUT ALWAYS LEARNING AND SELF-TAUGHT.
SOMETHING YOU KNOW- HE DIDN'T FLY FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS FROM 1945 UP UNTIL 1966. SO ALMOST 20 YEARS. HE HAD TO GO TO GE THEATER FACTORIES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND GIVE TALKS WITH EMPLOYEES AND GIVE MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES AND AT THE TIME THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF GE FACTORIES ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES. SO HE WOULD ONLY TRAVEL BY TRAIN, SO GOING FROM LOS ANGELES TO BOSTON. HE DOESN'T GO TO THE CLUB CAR AND CHASE SKIRTS AND KNOCK BACK DRINKS WITH OTHER BUSINESSMAN BUT HE GETS A PRIVATE COMPARTMENT AND HE LOADS IN ARTICLES AND BOOKS. THE WHOLE TIME HE'S TRAVELING ACROSS THE COUNTRY HE'S IN THERE READING BY HIMSELF.
AND YEARS LATER A FRIEND OF MINE, LEE EDWARDS, WHO IS LIKE THE OFFICIAL HISTORIAN FOR THE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT, WAS DOING AN INTERVIEW WITH REAGAN IN THE 60s OUT IN LOS ANGELES AT THE HOUSE IN PALISADES. WHILE HE WAS WAITING THERE HE WAS IN THE LIBRARY, AND HUNDREDS OF BOOKS WERE THERE, HE STARTS PULLING OUT BOOKS AND EVERY ONE OF THEM -- PASSAGES WERE UNDERLINED, DOG-EARED, NOTATIONS MADE IN THE MARGINS. HE DIDN'T USE BOOKS AS DECORATION, HE USED BOOKS TO TEACH HIMSELF. SO HE IS A FULLY FUNCTIONING INTELLECTUAL CONSERVATIVE BY 1976, AND NOW HE HAS THE MEANS AT HIS DISPOSAL TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE VIA SPEECHES, TV APPEARANCES, RADIO COMMENTARY, COLUMNS.
I DID AN INTERVIEW EARLIER TODAY WITH BREITBART, AND I SAID LOOK IF REAGAN WAS ALIVE TODAY, HE'D BE ON TWITTER USING THE WAY DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN USING TWITTER. [LAUGHTER] BUT THINK ABOUT IT. IN 1930s , RADIO WAS THE NEW PHENOMENON YET REAGAN MASTERED IT. IN THE 40s, IT WAS TALKING PICTURES YET REAGAN MASTERED THAT. IN THE 50's, IT WAS COMMERCIAL TELEVISION AND REAGAN MASTERED THAT.
HE MASTERED PRESS CONFERENCE AND SOUNDBITES. HE USED REGULAR COMMENTARY AND COLUMNS AND I'M CONVINCED TODAY IF REAGAN WAS ALIVE HE'D BE USING FACEBOOK, TWITTER.
REMEMBER, THERE WAS A FAMOUS PHRASE IN 1980s 'OVER THE HEADS OF WASHINGTON'. WHEN REAGAN WANTED TO STIR AMERICAN PEOPLE TO SUPPORT HIM FOR SOME INITIATIVE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A PHRASE IN THE REAGAN WHITE HOUSE "HE'S GOING OVER THE HEADS OF WASHINGTON" WHICH IS WHAT TRUMP IS DOING NOW. I'M CONVINCED REAGAN WOULDN'T BE SAYING EXACTLY WHAT TRUMP IS SAYING -- [LAUGHTER]
Monica Crowley: [REAGAN] MIGHT HAVE BETTER JOKES
Craig Shirley: HE MIGHT HAVE BETTER JOKES BUT HE WOULD BE USING THAT TECHNOLOGY. ...
Monica Crowley: LET'S MAKE SOME COMPARISONS SINCE WE ALL LIVE IN THE OF MOMENT TODAY WITH THE NEW PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP. THIS WAS ONE YEAR AFTER REAGAN LOST THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION {1977).
THAT WAS A VERY INTERESTING SPEECH AT C-PAC BECAUSE HE INTRODUCED THE CROWD TO THE "NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY'' TO SAY THIS IS BEYOND THE STEREOTYPES OF THE COUNTRY CLUB, THE CORPORATE BOARDROOM. WE WILL EMBRACE THE MEN AND OF WOMEN OF THE FACTORIES THE FARMER AND THE COP ON THE BEAT. AND WE MUST BE THE PARTY OF THE INDIVIDUAL. ONE PARTY MUST BE THE PARTY OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND MUST NOT SELL OUT TO THE GROUP. THAT SOUNDS VERY FAMILIAR AND SOUNDS LIKE DONALD TRUMP.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SIMILARITIES OF THE MEN AND THE SIMILARITIES OF THE ELECTION OF 1980 AND THE ELECTION OF 2016. AND THE COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE TWO MEN AS THE RESPECTIVE LEADERS OF THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT AND NOW THE NATIONALIST AND POPULIST MOVEMENT.
Craig Shirley: AMERICAN POPULISM AND AMERICAN CONSERVATISM ARE TWO
DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHIES WITH A LOT OF OVERLAP BETWEEN THE TWO. IF YOU GO BACK TO THE REAGAN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM 1975 AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB IN WASHINGTON DC, HE TAKES ON THE WASHINGTON BUDDY SYSTEM OF BIG GOVERNMENT, BIG LABOR, BIG LOBBYIST [BIG MEDIA, TOO-ED.] BECAUSE IT'S ANTI-CORRUPTION OF POWER. REAGAN LIKE CONSERVATIVES AND POPULISTS BELIEVES THAT CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY IS CORRUPTING AND LEADS TO THE DIMINUTION OF PERSONAL FREEDOM.
SO REAGAN KIND OF VEERS BETWEEN TRADITIONAL [INTELLECTUAL]
CONSERVATISM AND TRADITONAL POPULISM WHICH IS ANTI-CORRUPTION.
HERE IS HOW REAGAN AND TRUMP ARE SIMILAR IN THE MOST IMPORTANT AEGIS OF ALL:
THEY ARE PART OF A DIALECTIC OF AMERICAN HISTORY . EVERY GENERATION OR TWO HAS EXPERIENCED A POPULIST UPRISING WHICH IS ANTI-ELITE, ANTI-STATUS QUO AND THE CENTRALITY OF THE ARGUMENT IS ANTI-CORRUPTION.
IT STARTS WITH THOMAS JEFFERSON IN 1800. JEFFERSON SAID HE REGARDED HIS ELECTION AS THE SECOND REVOLUTION SO HE REVERSES ADAM'S PROGRAMS LIKE THE SEDITION ACT AND CUT TAXES AND CUT THE BUREACRACY AND THEN OF COURSE, HE'S FOLLOWED BY JACKSON.
WE'VE ALL GOTTEN A REFRESHER COURSE IN ANDREW JACKSON WITH THE ELECTION OF TRUMP AND WHAT HE MEANS TO AMERICAN POPULISM AND THE BANK OF AMERICA. [ALSO TERM LIMITS, ETC.-ED.]
Monica Crowley: AND THE ANTI-CORRUPTION MESSAGE "DRAIN THE SWAMP".
Craig Shirley: YES, AND HE WAS ALSO WAS VICTIMIZED BY THE [#FAKENEWS] MEDIA OF THE TIME, WHO WOULD WRITE THE MOST TERRIBLE AND AWFUL PAMPHLETS AND THEY WERE DISSEMINATED WIDELY ATTACKING ANDREW JACKSON, AND THEN OF COURSE, ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS ANTI-STATUS QUO. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WAS REVOLUTIONARY, ANTI-SLAVERY BY 1860, THAT CONTINUES THAT TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE AMERICAN FREMONT PHILOSOPHY OF THE MAXIMUM FREEDOM FOR ALL INDIVUIDUALS.
SO THEN OF COURSE, TEDDY ROOSEVELT RUNNING AGAINST THE CORRUPT TRUSTS, AND FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT IN MANY WAYS IS A POPULIST REFORMER RUNNING AGAINST CORRUPT WALL STREET. AND THEN REAGAN, THEN TRUMP COMES 2O-SOME YEARS LATER. SO THAT'S THE DIALECTIC TO AMERICAN HISTORY.
I AM MAD AT MYSELF FOR THINKING HILLARY WOULD WIN BUT I FAILED MYSELF AS A STUDENT OF HISTORY TO REALIZE THAT THE TRUMP ELECTION WAS NOT FORETOLD OR INEVITABLE, BUT HE HAD A MUCH BETTER CHANCE THAN WE REALIZED, IF ONLY BECAUSE HE FOLLWED THE TRACK OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHIES WITH A LOT OF OVERLAP BETWEEN THE TWO. IF YOU GO BACK TO THE REAGAN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM 1975 AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB IN WASHINGTON DC, HE TAKES ON THE WASHINGTON BUDDY SYSTEM OF BIG GOVERNMENT, BIG LABOR, BIG LOBBYIST [BIG MEDIA, TOO-ED.] BECAUSE IT'S ANTI-CORRUPTION OF POWER. REAGAN LIKE CONSERVATIVES AND POPULISTS BELIEVES THAT CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY IS CORRUPTING AND LEADS TO THE DIMINUTION OF PERSONAL FREEDOM.
SO REAGAN KIND OF VEERS BETWEEN TRADITIONAL [INTELLECTUAL]
CONSERVATISM AND TRADITONAL POPULISM WHICH IS ANTI-CORRUPTION.
HERE IS HOW REAGAN AND TRUMP ARE SIMILAR IN THE MOST IMPORTANT AEGIS OF ALL:
THEY ARE PART OF A DIALECTIC OF AMERICAN HISTORY . EVERY GENERATION OR TWO HAS EXPERIENCED A POPULIST UPRISING WHICH IS ANTI-ELITE, ANTI-STATUS QUO AND THE CENTRALITY OF THE ARGUMENT IS ANTI-CORRUPTION.
IT STARTS WITH THOMAS JEFFERSON IN 1800. JEFFERSON SAID HE REGARDED HIS ELECTION AS THE SECOND REVOLUTION SO HE REVERSES ADAM'S PROGRAMS LIKE THE SEDITION ACT AND CUT TAXES AND CUT THE BUREACRACY AND THEN OF COURSE, HE'S FOLLOWED BY JACKSON.
WE'VE ALL GOTTEN A REFRESHER COURSE IN ANDREW JACKSON WITH THE ELECTION OF TRUMP AND WHAT HE MEANS TO AMERICAN POPULISM AND THE BANK OF AMERICA. [ALSO TERM LIMITS, ETC.-ED.]
Monica Crowley: AND THE ANTI-CORRUPTION MESSAGE "DRAIN THE SWAMP".
Craig Shirley: YES, AND HE WAS ALSO WAS VICTIMIZED BY THE [#FAKENEWS] MEDIA OF THE TIME, WHO WOULD WRITE THE MOST TERRIBLE AND AWFUL PAMPHLETS AND THEY WERE DISSEMINATED WIDELY ATTACKING ANDREW JACKSON, AND THEN OF COURSE, ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS ANTI-STATUS QUO. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WAS REVOLUTIONARY, ANTI-SLAVERY BY 1860, THAT CONTINUES THAT TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE AMERICAN FREMONT PHILOSOPHY OF THE MAXIMUM FREEDOM FOR ALL INDIVUIDUALS.
SO THEN OF COURSE, TEDDY ROOSEVELT RUNNING AGAINST THE CORRUPT TRUSTS, AND FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT IN MANY WAYS IS A POPULIST REFORMER RUNNING AGAINST CORRUPT WALL STREET. AND THEN REAGAN, THEN TRUMP COMES 2O-SOME YEARS LATER. SO THAT'S THE DIALECTIC TO AMERICAN HISTORY.
I AM MAD AT MYSELF FOR THINKING HILLARY WOULD WIN BUT I FAILED MYSELF AS A STUDENT OF HISTORY TO REALIZE THAT THE TRUMP ELECTION WAS NOT FORETOLD OR INEVITABLE, BUT HE HAD A MUCH BETTER CHANCE THAN WE REALIZED, IF ONLY BECAUSE HE FOLLWED THE TRACK OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
Monica Crowley: WHAT WOULD REAGAN MAKE OF DONALD TRUMP?
Craig Shirley: I THINK HE WOULD APPRECIATE THAT TRUMP IS A UNIQUE POLITICIAN AND THE FACT THAT HE CONTINUES TO GO AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT. REAGAN'S WHOLE CAREER WAS DEFINED BY BEING AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT. IN 1966, WHEN HE FIRST RAN FOR GOVERNOR, THE ENTIRE REPUBLICAN ESTABLISHMENT WERE FOR THE MAYOR OF SAN FRANCISCO GEORGE CHRISTOPHER, WHO WAS BRIGHT AND ARTICULATE MODERATE REPUBLICAN.
BUT REAGAN WOULD RUN IN THE PRIMARY AND SMASHED CHRISTOPHER--IT ISN'T EVEN CLOSE. BUT THE ENTIRE ESTABLISHMENT SAID "HE'S A BROKEN DOWN GRADE-B ACTOR WITH WITH PREMATURE ORANGE HAIR. WE CAN'T SUPPORT HIM-HE'S GONNA LOSE. HE'S GOING TO CARRY THE PARTY DOWN TO DEFEAT". INSTEAD HE DEFEATS GOV. PAT BROWN BY ALMOST 1 MILLION VOTES. IT'S A LANDSLIDE.
REAGAN ALWAYS WAS BETTER WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAN HE WAS WITH THE AMERICAN ELITES. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD HIM BETTER AND THAT'S ANOTHER SIMILARITY BETWEEN HE AND TRUMP IS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE TRUMP BETTER THAN THE AMERICAN ELITE UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE DONALD TRUMP."
REAGAN ALWAYS WAS BETTER WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAN HE WAS WITH THE AMERICAN ELITES. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD HIM BETTER AND THAT'S ANOTHER SIMILARITY BETWEEN HE AND TRUMP IS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE TRUMP BETTER THAN THE AMERICAN ELITE UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE DONALD TRUMP."
 |
| "...140 characters, you say?" "Yes, Mr. President." "If it keeps you close to the American people, Donald, I'm all for it." "Thank you, Mr. President." "No--thank you, Mr. President." |
No comments:
Post a Comment