Every morning Nancy and I turn to see what he [Carroll Righter] has to say about people of our respective birth signs. Ronald Reagan 1965 autobiography
Facts are stupid things … Stubborn things I should say. Ronald Reagan, attempting to quote John Adams
Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. Ronald Reagan, inaugural address January 1967
General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, Come here to this gate! Mr Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall! Ronald Reagan, Berlin July 1987
Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives. Ronald Reagan, March 1981
Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem. Ronald Reagan
History teaches that wars begin when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap. Ronald Reagan, address to the Nation 16th January 1984
I am a Contra. Ronald Reagan
I don’t believe the police brutalities at all. Ronald Reagan, interview BBC 1966
I don’t believe in a government that protects us from ourselves. Ronald Reagan, Reason magazine July 1975
If suddenly there was a threat to this world from some other species, from another planet outside in the universe, we’d forget all the local differences that we have between our countries. Ronald Reagan
I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I’m in a cabinet meeting. Ronald Reagan
I hope we once again have reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There’s a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts. Ronald Reagan, farewell address January 1989
I know in my heart that man is good.
That what is right will always eventually triumph.
And there’s purpose and worth to each and every life. Ronald Reagan
I’m a realistic anti-communist and I think I had some experience with communists in our own industry when they attempted to take it over some years ago. Ronald Reagan, interview 1966
The enemy is there and we are the target of that enemy. And I think we have to do what is necessary to oppose their aggression. ibid.
I now have absolute proof that smoking even one marijuana cigarette is equal in brain damage to being on Bikini Island during an H-bomb blast. Ronald Reagan
I regret to say that we are in the worst economic mess since the great depression. Ronald Reagan, address to nation February 1981
It [evolution] is a scientific theory only. Ronald Reagan, address to evangelical group Dallas
I think it would appal anyone. I think it is an awesome responsibility. Ronald Reagan, interview 1966
I take full responsibility for my own actions and for those of my administration. As angry as I may be about activities undertaken without my knowledge I am still accountable for those activities ... A few months ago I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that is true. But the facts and the evidence tell me it is not. Ronald Reagan
I’ve spoken recently of the freedom fighters of Nicaragua. You know the truth about them. You know who they’re fighting and why. They are the moral equal of our Founding Fathers and the brave men and women of the French Resistance. We cannot turn away from them, for the struggle here is not right versus left; it is right versus wrong. Ronald Reagan
I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent’s youth and inexperience. Ronald Reagan, presidential debate, Kansas City, 21 October 1984
Leading medical researchers are coming to the conclusion that marijuana – pot, grass, whatever you want to call it – is probably the most dangerous drug in the United States, and we haven’t begun to find out the ill effects, but they are permanent ill effects. Ronald Reagan, presidential campaign 1980
My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia for ever. The bombing begins in five minutes. Ronald Reagan, microphone test 1984
My fellow citizens, I’d like to speak to you tonight about our future ... Specifically, I want to talk about taxes. Ronald Reagan
No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Our natural, inalienable rights are now considered to be a dispensation from government, and freedom has never been so fragile, so close to slipping from our grasp as it is at this moment. Ronald Reagan
Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realise that it bears a very close resemblance to the first. Ronald Reagan, conference Los Angeles 2nd March 1977
Protecting the rights of even the least individual among us is basically the only excuse the government has for even existing. Ronald Reagan
Rest assured that the security of Israel is a principle objective of this administration. Ronald Reagan, press conferences with prime minister of Israel March 1988
The charge has been made that the United States has shipped weapons to Iran as ransom payment for the release of American hostages in Lebanon. That the United States undercut its allies and secretly violated American policy against trafficking with terrorists. Those charges are utterly false. Ronald Reagan, televised address
The 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, subsidise it. Ronald Reagan
The smoke from burning marijuana contains many more cancer-causing substances than tobacco. And if that isn’t enough it leads to bronchitis and emphysema. If adults want to take such chances that is their business. But surely the communications media ... should let four million youngsters know what they are risking. Ronald Reagan August 1979
There has been a small group within the Screen Actors Guild which has consistently opposed the policy of the Guild more or less following the tactics that we associate with the Communist Party. Ronald Reagan, testimony to House Committee on Un-American Activities, October 1947
These United States are confronted with an economic affliction of great proportions. Ronald Reagan, inaugural address 1981
The economic ills have come upon us over several decades. They will not go away in days, weeks or months. But they will go away. ibid.
The simple questions are, Will we support freedom in this hemisphere or not? Will we defend our vital interests in this hemisphere or not? Will we stop the spread of communism in this hemisphere or not? Will we act while there is still time? Ronald Reagan, televised address
There is sin and evil in the world, and we’re enjoined by Scripture and the Lord Jesus to oppose it with all our might. Our nation, too, has a legacy of evil with which it must deal. The glory of this land has been its capacity for transcending the moral evils of our past. For example, the long struggle of minority citizens for equal rights, once a source of disunity and civil war, is now a point of pride for all Americans ...