Ronald reagan: First Inaugural Address Putting American Back to Work Thank you. Thank you Senator Hatfield, mr. Chief justice, mr. President vice president bush vice President Mondale, Senator Baker, Speaker O'Neill, Reverend Moomaw, and my fellow citizens To a few of us here today this is a so lemn and most momentous occasion. and, yet in the history of our nation it is a commonplace occurrence. the orderly transfer of authority as called for in the Constitution routinely takes place as it has for almost wo centuries and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of many in the world, this every-four-year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle Mr. President I want our fellow citizens to know how much you did to carry on this tradition. By your gracious cooperation in the trans ition process you have shown a atching world that we are a united people pledged to maintaining a political system which guarantees ind ividual liberty to a greater degree than a ny ot her And I thank you and your people for all your help in mainta ining the continu ity which is the bulwark of our republic. The business of our nation goes forward These United states are conf ronted with an econom ic aff liction of great proportions We suffer from the longest and one of the worst sustained inf lations in our national history. It distorts our economic decisions, penalizes thrift, and crushes the struggling young and the fixed-income elderly alike. It threatens to shatter the lives of millions of our people. Idle industries have cast workers into unemployment human misery and personal indignity Those who do work are denied a fair return for their labor by a tax system which penalizes successf ul achievement and keeps us from maintaining full productivity But great as our tax burden is, it has not kept pace with public spending. For decades we have piled def icit upon deficit, mortga ging our future and our childrens future for the temporary convenience of the present. to continue this long trend is to guarantee tremendous social, cultural, political, and economic upheavals
Ronald Reagan: First Inaugural Address "Putting American Back to Work" Thank you. Thank you. Senator Hatfield, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. President, Vice President Bush, Vice President Mondale, Senator Baker, Speaker O’Neill, Reverend Moomaw, and my fellow citizens: To a few of us here today this is a solemn and most momentous occasion. And, yet, in the history of our nation it is a commonplace occurrence. The orderly transfer of authority as called for in the Constitution routinely takes place as it has for almost two centuries and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of many in the world, this every-four-year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle. Mr. President, I want our fellow citizens to know how much you did to carry on this tradition. By your gracious cooperation in the transition process you have shown a watching world that we are a united people pledged to maintaining a political system which guarantees individual liberty to a greater degree than any ot her. And I thank you and your people for all your help in maintaining the continuity which is the bulwark of our republic. The business of our nation goes forward. These United States are conf ronted with an economic affliction of great proportions. We suffer from the longest and one of the worst sustained inflations in our national history. It distorts our economic decisions, penalizes thrif t, and crushes the struggling young and the fixed-income elderly alike. It threatens to shatter the lives of millions of our people. Idle industries have cast workers into unemployment, human misery and personal indignity. Those who do work are denied a fair return for their labor by a tax system which penalizes successful achievement and keeps us f rom maintaining full productivity. But great as our tax burden is, it has not kept pace with public spending. For decades we have piled deficit upon deficit, mortgaging our future and our children’s future for the temporary convenience of the present. To continue this long trend is to guarantee tremendous social, cultural, political, and economic upheavals
You and I, as individuals, can, by borrowing live beyond our means, but for only a limited period of time. Why then should we think that collectively as a nation, we are not bound by that same limitation? We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow. and let there be ne misunderstand ing -- were going to begin to act beginning today. The economic ills e suffer have come upon us over several decades. They will not go away in days, reeks, or months, but they will go away. They will go away because we as Americans have the capacity now as we have had in the past to do whatever needs to be done to preserve this last and greatest bastion of freedom In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be mana ged by self-rule that government by an e lite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. But if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together - in and out of government --must bear the burden. The solutions we seek must be equitable with no one group sing led out to pay a higher price. We hear much of special interest groups. Well our concern must be for a special interest group that has been too long neglected. It knows no sectional boundaries or ethn ic and racial divisions, and it crosses political party lines. It is made up of men and omen who raise our food, patrol our streets man our mines and factories, teach our children keep our homes, and heal us when were sick-- prof essionals, industrialists, shopkeepers, clerks, cabbies, and truck drivers. they are in short We the people. This breed called Americans Well, this Administrations objective will be a healthy, vigorous, grow ing economy that provides equal op portunities for all Americans with no barriers born of bigotry or discrimination. Putting America back to work means putting all Americans back to work. Ending inf lation means freeing all Americans from the terror of runaway living costs All must share in the productive work of this "new beg inning and all must share in the bounty of a revived economy. With the idealism and fair play which are the core of our system and our strength, e can have a strong and prosperous amer ica at peace with itse If and the world. so as we begin, let us take inventory We are a nation that has a government -- not the other way around. and this makes us special among the nations of the earth. Our Government has no power except that granted it by the people. It is time to check and reverse the growth of
You and I, as individuals, can, by borrowing, live beyond our means, but for only a limited period of time. Why then should we think that collectively, as a nation, we are not bound by that same limitation? We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow. And let there be no misunderstanding -- we’re going to begin to act beginning today. The economic ills we suffer have come upon us over several decades. They will not go away in days, weeks, or months, but they will go away. They will go away because we as Americans have the capacity now, as we have had in the past, to do whatever needs to be done to preserve this last and greatest bastion of f reedom. In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. From time to time we’ve been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self -rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. But if no one among us is capable of governing himself , then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together -- in and out of government -- must bear the burden. The solutions we seek must be equitable with no one group singled out to pay a higher price. We hear much of special interest groups. Well our concern must be for a special interest group that has been too long neglected. It knows no sectional boundaries, or ethnic and racial divisions, and it crosses political party lines. It is made up of men and women who raise our food, patrol our streets, man our mines and factories, teach our children, keep our homes, and heal us when we’re sick -- professionals, industrialists, shopkeepers, clerks, cabbies, and truck drivers. They are, in short, “We the People.” This breed called Americans. Well, this Administration’s objective will be a healthy, vigorous, growing economy that provides equal opportunities for all Americans with no barriers born of bigotry or discrimination. Putting America back to work means putting all Americans back to work. Ending inflation means f reeing all Americans f rom the terror of runaway living costs. All must share in the productive work of this “new beginning,” and all must share in the bounty of a revived economy. With the idealism and fair play which are the core of our system and our strength, we can have a strong and prosperous America at peace with itself and the world. So as we begin, let us take inventory. We are a nation that has a government -- not the other way around. And this makes us special among the nations of the earth. Our Government has no power except that granted it by the people. It is time to check and reverse the growth of
government which shows signs of having grown beyond the consent of the governed It is my intention to curb the size and inf luence of the federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the Federal Government and those reserved to the states or to the people. All of us --all of us need to be reminded that the federal government did not create the states the states created the federal government Now, so there will be no misunderstanding it's not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work--work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must prov ide opportun ity, not smother it foster productiv ity not stif le it. 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 was because here in this la nd we unleas hed the energy and indiv idual 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 lim it ourselves to smal dreams, Were not as some would have us believe doomed to an inev ita ble 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 So with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination our courage, and our strength. and let us renew our faith and our hope. We have every right to dream heroic dreams Those who say that were in a time when there are no heroes - they just dont know where to look. You can see heroes every day going in and out of factory gates Others, a hand ul in number, produce enough food to feed all of us and then the orld beyond You meet heroes across a counter--and they re on both sides of that counter. There are entrepreneurs with faith in themselves and faith in an idea who create new jobs, new wealth and opportunity There are indiv iduals and families whose taxes support the government and whose voluntary gif ts support church, charity culture, art and education The ir patriotism is quiet but deep. Their values sustain our national life
government which shows signs of having grown beyond the consent of the governed. It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the Federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the Federal Government and those reserved to the states or to the people. All of us -- all of us need to be reminded that the Federal Government did not create the states; the states created the Federal Government. Now, so there will be no misunderstanding, it’s not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work -- work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it. 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 was 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 f rom 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. So with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope. We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we’re in a time when there are no heroes -- they just don’t know where to look. You can see heroes every day going in and out of factory gates. Others, a handful in number, produce enough food to feed all of us and then the world beyond. You meet heroes across a counter -- and they’re on both sides of that counter. There are entrepreneurs with faith in themselves and faith in an idea who create new jobs, new wealth and opportunity. There are individuals and families whose taxes support the Government and whose voluntary gif ts support church, charity, culture, art, and education. Their patriotism is quiet but deep. Their values sustain our national life
Now I have used the words " they"and their"in speaking of these heroes. I could say""and"your"because I'm addressing the heroes of whom I speak--you, the citizens of this blessed land. Your dreams, your hopes, your goals are going to be the dreams, the hopes and the goals of this Administration, so help me God We shall reflect the compassion that is so much a part of your make-up. How can we love our country and not love our countrymen - and loving them reach out a hand hen they fall, heal them when they re sick and prov ide op portunity to make them self-suff icient so they will be equal in fact and not just in theory Can we solve the problems confronting us? Well the answer is an unequivocal and emphatic Yes. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, i did not take the oath I've just taken with the intention of presiding over the dissolution of the world's strongest economy In the days ahead, i will propose removing the roadblocks that have slowed our economy and reduced productiv ity. Steps will be taken aimed at restoring the balance between the various levels of government. Progress may be slow measured in inches and feet, not miles-- but we will progress. It is time to reawaken this industrial giant, to get government back within its means, and to lighten our punitive tax burden and these will be our first priorities and on these principles there will be no compromise On the eve or our struggle for independence a man who might 've been one of the greatest among the Founding Fathers, Dr Joseph Warren president of the Massachusetts Congress, said to his fellow Americans, Our country is in danger, but not to be des paired of. On you depend the fortunes of America. You are to decide the important question upon w hich rest the ha pp iness and the liberty of millions yet unborn Act worthy of yourselves Well i believe we, the Americans of today are ready to act worthy of ourselves ready to do what must be done to insure happiness and liberty for ourselves, our children and our children's children and as we renew ourselves here in our own land we will be seen as having greater strength throughout the world we will aga in be the exemplar of freedom and a beacon of hope for those who do not now have freedom To those neighbors and allies who share our freedom we will strengthen our his toric ties and assure them of our support and firm commitment. We will match loyalty with loyalty. We will strive for mutually benef icial relations. We will not use our friendship to impose on their sovereignty for our own sovereignty is not for sale As for the enemies of freedom those who are potential adversaries they will be eminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrif ice for it we will not surrender for it -- now or ever. Our
Now I have used the words “they” and “their” in speaking of these heroes. I could say “you” and “your” because I’m addressing the heroes of whom I speak -- you, the citizens of this blessed land. Your dreams, your hopes, your goals are going to be the dreams, the hopes, and the goals of this Administration, so help me God. We shall reflect the compassion that is so much a part of your make-up. How can we love our country and not love our countrymen -- and loving them reach out a hand when they fall, heal them when they’re sick, and provide opportunity to make them self -sufficient so they will be equal in fact and not just in theory? Can we solve the problems conf ronting us? Well the answer is an unequivocal and emphatic "Yes." To paraphrase Winston Churchill, I did not take the oath I’ve just taken with the intention of presiding over the dissolution of the world’s strongest economy. In the days ahead, I will propose removing the roadblocks that have slowed our economy and reduced productivity. Steps will be taken aimed at restoring the balance between the various levels of government. Progress may be slow -- measured in inches and feet, not miles -- but we will progress. It is time to reawaken this industrial giant, to get government back within its means, and to lighten our punitive tax burden. And these will be our first priorities, and on these principles there will be no compromise. On the eve or our struggle for independence a man who might’ve been one of the greatest among the Founding Fathers, Dr. Joseph Warren, president of the Massachusetts Congress, said to his fellow Americans, “Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of . On you depend the fortunes of America. You are to decide the important question upon which rest the happiness and the liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves.” Well I believe we, the Americans of today, are ready to act worthy of ourselves, ready to do what must be done to insure happiness and liberty for ourselves, our children, and our children’s children. And as we renew ourselves here in our own land, we will be seen as having greater strength throughout the world. We will again be the exemplar of f reedom and a beacon of hope for those who do not now have f reedom. To those neighbors and allies who share our freedom, we will strengthen our historic ties and assure them of our support and firm commitment. We will match loyalty with loyalty. We will strive for mutually beneficial relations. We will not use our f riendship to impose on their sovereignty, for our own sovereignty is not for sale. As for the enemies of f reedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it; we will not surrender for it -- now or ever. Our
forbearance should never be misunderstood our reluctance for conf lict should not be misjudged as a failure of will. When action is required to preserve our national security we will act. We will maintain suf f icient strength to prevail if need be knowing that if we do so, we have the best chance of never having to use that strength Above all we must realize that no arsenal or no weapon in the arsena ls of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women It is a eapon our adversaries in today's world do not have. It is a weapon that we as Americans do have. Let that be understood by those who practice terrorism and prey upon their neighbors I am--I'm told that tens of thousands of prayer meetings are being held on this day i and for that i am deeply grateful. We are a nation under God and I believe God intended for us to be free. It would be f itting and good i think if on each ina ugural day in future years it should be declared a day of prayer. This is the first time in our history that this ceremony has been he ld, as you've been told, on this West Front of the Capitol Standing here, one faces a magnif icent vista, opening up on this city's special beauty and history. At the end of this open mall are those shrines to the giants on whose shoulders we stand. D irectly in front of me, the monument to a monumental man. George Washington, father of our country. a man of humility who came to greatness reluctantly. He led America out of revolutionary victory into infan nationhood. Off to one side, the stately memorial to Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence flames with his eloquence. And then beyond the Ref lecting Pool, the dignif ied columns of the Lincoln Memorial. Whoever would understand in his heart the meaning of America will find it in the life of Abraham Lincoln Beyond those moments -- those monuments to heroism is the Potomac River, and on the far shore the sloping hills of Arlington National Cemetery with its row upon row of simple white markers bearing crosses or Stars of David. they add up to only a tiny fraction of the price that has been paid for our freedom Each one of those markers is a monument to the kind of hero i spoke of earlier Their lives ended in places called Belleau Wood, the Argonne, Omaha Beach, Salerno, and ha lf way around the world on guada Canal, tarawa, Pork Chop Hill, the Chosin Reservoir, and in a hundred rice paddies and jungles of a place called Vietnam Under one such a marker lies a young man, Martin Treptow, who left his job in a small town barber shop in 1917 to go to France with the famed Rainbow Division There, on the Western front, he was killed trying to carry a message between
forbearance should never be misunderstood. Our reluctance for conflict should not be misjudged as a failure of will. When action is required to preserve our national security, we will act. We will maintain suf ficient strength to prevail if need be, knowing that if we do so, we have the best chance of never having to use that strength. 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 f ree men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have. It is a weapon that we as Americans do have. Let that be understood by those who practice terrorism and prey upon their neighbors. I am -- I'm told that tens of thousands of prayer meetings are being held on this day; and for that I am deeply grateful. We are a nation under God, and I believe God intended for us to be f ree. It would be fitting and good, I think, if on each inaugural day in future years it should be declared a day of prayer. This is the first time in our history that this ceremony has been held, as you’ve been told, on this West Front of the Capitol. Standing here, one faces a magnificent vista, opening up on this city’s special beauty and history. At the end of this open mall are those shrines to the giants on whose shoulders we stand. Directly in f ront of me, the monument to a monumental man. George Washington, father of our country. A man of humility who came to greatness reluctantly. He led America out of revolutionary victory into infant nationhood. Of f to one side, the stately memorial to Thomas Jef ferson. The Declaration of Independence flames with his eloquence. And then beyond the Reflecting Pool, the dignified columns of the Lincoln Memorial. Whoever would understand in his heart the meaning of America will find it in the life of Abraham Lincoln. Beyond those moments -- those monuments to heroism is the Potomac River, and on the far shore the sloping hills of Arlington National Cemetery, with its row upon row of simple white markers bearing crosses or Stars of David. They add up to only a tiny f raction of the price that has been paid for our f reedom. Each one of those markers is a monument to the kind of hero I spoke of earlier. Their lives ended in places called Belleau Wood, the Argonne, Omaha Beach, Salerno, and halfway around the world on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Pork Chop Hill, the Chosin Reservoir, and in a hundred rice paddies and jungles of a place called Vietnam. Under one such a marker lies a young man, Martin Treptow, who lef t his job in a small town barber shop in 1917 to go to France with the famed Rainbow Division. There, on the Western f ront, he was killed trying to carry a message between