In the event you’d like to see an inauguration speech which reminds you of actually great leadership, here’s President Reagan’s first inaugural address from 1981. As you can imagine, it’s quite prophetic about a number of things, including our economy.
This is the speech where Reagan makes the now famous quote “Government is not the solution to our problem, Government is the problem.” Today you will hear a sentiment quite the opposite from Hopey McChange.
For another Inspiration Assignment, here’s Part One of Ayn Rand’s 1959 interview with Mike Wallace. Remember, ideas live forever and outlast man. It’s what we do with them that counts. Part of the core of Barkey’s message is that we all sacrifice ourselves for the larger good. Rand thoughtfully and clearly argues against all of us becoming “sacrificial objects.” Part Two is here.
I still get a little emotional when I see old footage of the Great Communicator. It’s always mixed emotions when I think about Reagan, not just for the greatness of the man but for the opprotunities lost and squandered after he left the White House. I fear that America once again has lost her way.
When I hear these inspiring words from a member of the “Greatest Generation”, I also hear the cries from the graves of my WW2 veteran father and those before him, for they surely would be saying, “What has happened to what we left you”?? Having just witnessed our new president’s speech, It’s clear to me the answer is, “A great deal, and not for the better”.
Someone at teamsarah linked me to this vid.
I think it’s awesome.
http://tinyurl.com/749ook
A couple comments on Reagan and Rand…
One of my greatest regrets is not being wise enough to have voted for Reagan when I was first eligible in 1984. I was too wedded to the victimology of my parents and the whining protestations of my college classmates.
As for Rand, the two parts you linked as well as the final part three are incredibly prophetic for our current situation. Three quotes stood out to me:
“Capitalism with government help is the worst of all economic phenomenon.”
“Both parties are for socialism and controls.”
“All depressions are caused by government interference.”
Wow.
I like the idea of going “John Gault”. Let’s see how long liberals will slave away for the Chosen One if they are the only ones doing it.
If “Atlas Shrugged” is not the worst novel ever,I don’t know what is
Reagan: “Government is the problem.”
Obama: “I am here to save you. Bow down you bitter savages.”
Interesting. Yesterday morning (before the grand coronation) Turner Classic Movies ran The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand with Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal. In it, collectivism, a monolithic press, and agenda-driven bureaucrats with mediocre minds were skewered. Either there was a scheduling error or somewhere in the dark little offices of TCM lurks a conservative.