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Our
Noble Vision: An Opportunity For All
Ronald
Reagan
March
2, 1984
Mr. Vice President, members
of Congress, members of the Cabinet, and
distinguished ladies and gentlemen. I just want to
say thank you to Mickey Edwards- I'm honored to
stand beside this fine Congressman from Oklahoma and
ACU's great leader.
Seeing the size of your gathering here this evening,
the exciting program that you've planned, and the
media attention you're drawing, and seeing and
feeling the drive, energy, and intellectual force
that's coming to our cause from the American
Conservative Union, Young Americans for Freedom,
Human Events, and National Review, I believe the
proof is undeniable: The conservative movement is
alive and well, and you are giving America a new
lease on life.
It is true that many of you are helping now in our
Administration. And we're going to add one more in
the next few days, because coming to the West Wing,
there on our staff, will be the man that organized
the first four of these dinners-Frank Donatelli .
We've been together through many struggles. We've
known the agony of defeat. And recently, we've seen
public support begin to swell behind our banner.
What we worked so long and hard to win was good, but
hardly good enough. So, in expressing my pride and
affection for this good family, for our family, may
I say not only Happy Anniversary, ACU, but also,
long live the revolution.
The mission of this conference is a mission of
principle: It is a mission of commitment, and it
must and will be a mission of victory. Color our
cause with courage and confidence. We offer an
optimistic society. More than 200 years after the
patriots fired that first shot heard 'round the
world, one revolutionary idea still burns in the
hearts of men and women everywhere: A society where
man is not beholden to government; government is
beholden to man.
The difference between the path toward greater
freedom or bigger government is the difference
between success and failure; between opportunity and
coercion; between faith in a glorious future and
fear of mediocrity and despair; between respecting
people as adults, each with a spark of greatness,
and treating them as helpless children to be forever
dependent; between a drab, materialistic world where
Big Brother rules by promises to special interest
groups, and a world of adventure where everyday
people set their sights on impossible dreams,
distant stars, and the Kingdom of God. We have the
true message of hope for America.
In Year of Decision, 1846, Bernard DeVoto explained
what drove our ancestors to conquer the West, create
a nation, and open up a continent. If you take away
the dream, you take away the power of the spirit. If
you take away the belief in a greater future, you
cannot explain America-that we're a people who
believed there was a promised land; we were a people
who believed we were chosen by God to create a
greater world.
Well, I think we're remembering those bedrock
beliefs which motivate our progress. A spirit of
renewal is spreading across this land. We even have
a pro-conservative newspaper in the Nation's Capital
[the Washington Times]. And, if I may just
interject, I understand that [Times Editor and
Publisher] Jim Whalen will be honored by your group
tomorrow night, and that's wonderful news and well
deserved.
I think America is better off than we were three
years ago because we've stopped placing our faith in
more government programs. We're restoring our faith
in the greatest resource this nation has-the mighty
spirit of free people under God. It was you who
reminded Washington that we are a government of, by,
and for the people, not the other way around. It was
you who said it is time to put earnings back in the
hands of the people, time to put trust back in the
hands of the people, time to put America back in the
hands of the people.
And this is what we're trying to do. Our critics are
not pleased, but I hope we'll be forgiven this small
observation: The spendthrifts who mangled America
with the nightmare of double-digit inflation, record
interest rates, unfair tax increases, too much
regulation, credit controls, farm embargoes, gas
lines, no-growth at home, weakness abroad, and phony
excuses about "malaise" are the last
people who should be giving sermonettes about
fairness and compassion.
Their failures were not caused by erratic weather
patterns, unusual rotations of the moon, or by the
personality of my predecessor. They were caused by
misguided policies and misunderstanding human
nature. Believe me, you cannot create a desert, hand
a person a cup of water, and call that compassion.
You cannot pour billions of dollars into make-work
jobs while destroying the economy that supports them
and call that opportunity. And you cannot build up
years of dependence on government and dare call that
hope.
But apparently nothing bothers our liberal friends.
The same expertise that told them their policies
must succeed convinced them that our program spelled
economic Armageddon. first they blamed the recession
on our tax cuts. The trouble is, our tax cuts hadn't
started yet. They also warned that when our tax
program passed, America would face runaway
inflation, record interest rates, and a collapse of
confidence. Well, at least they got part of it
right. Our program passed, and we witnessed a
collapse all right. A collapse of inflation from
12.4 down to about 4 percent; a collapse of the
prime interest rate from over 21 percent to 11; and
a new surge of confidence in stocks and bonds .
They warned that decontrolling the price of oil
would send the cost of gas at the pumps
skyrocketing. We decontrolled, and the price is
lower today than it was three years ago when we
decontrolled .
And then they said that recovery couldn't come, or
would be too feeble to notice. Well, from strong
growth in housing to autos, construction, and high
technology, from a rebirth of productivity to the
fastest drop in unemployment in over 30 years, we
have one of the strongest recoveries in decades. And
we'll keep it strong if they'll get out of the way.
Pardon me if I add something here . You know, I did
get a kick out of watching on TV the door-to-door
campaigning in New Hampshire. I got to see some of
the homes the people have been able to buy since we
brought interest rates down. Incidentally, I'm sure
all of you have read or seen on the air that in the
month of January our sale of new houses dropped, and
dropped to a great percent-about a 9 percent drop
below what it was the previous month. Only 688,000
new homes were sold in January. But they didn't add
that that drop was only from the sales in December,
and beyond that it was the highest number that had
been sold since 1979 in a single month.
But our critics moan the recovery can't last. Those
awful tax cuts haven't sparked business investment;
private borrowers are being crowded out of the
capital markets. Well, if that's true, how did the
venture capital industry raise four times as much
capital in 1983 as it did in 1980? How could real,
fixed business investment increase by a 1 3-percent
rate last year, the fastest rate in any recovery in
the past 30 years? And how could funds raised in the
equity markets zoom from $16.8 billion in 1983 - or
in 1982, to $36.6 billion in 1983? Still another
record.
Now, all this means more growth, more jobs, more
opportunities, and a more competitive America. Now,
lately, the pessimists have been sounding a new
alarm: the dollar is so strong, they say, that
exporters can't export, and we'll have no chance for
lasting growth.
Well, the facts are-as Secretary [of the Treasury]
Don Regan has pointed out-the dollar is strong
because of people's confidence in our currency, our
low rate of inflation, and the incentives to invest
in the United States. No American should undermine
confidence in the nation's currency. A strong dollar
is one of our greatest weapons against inflation.
Anyone who doubts the value of a strong currency
should look at the postwar performances of Japan,
Switzerland, and West Germany.
Yes, we have a trade deficit, but this isn't
entirely new. The United States had a merchandise
trade deficit in almost all of the yearsbetween
179Oand 1875. Irememberthemwell. 'Course, I was only
a boy at the time.
But that was when our economy grew into one of the
largest and strongest in the world. Rising incomes
have given us the ability to increase purchases from
abroad. The U.S. economy is serving as an engine for
worldwide recovery, and this will translate into
greater demands for our own goods. But even with our
current trade deficits, exports of goods and
services have made a greater contribution to this
recovery than to any previous recovery in the
postwar period.
The critics were wrong on inflation, wrong on
interest rates, wrong on the recovery, and I believe
they'll be wrong on the deficit, too, if the
Congress will get spending under control. If
optimism were a national disease, they'd be immune
for life. Isn't it time that we said no to those who
keep saying no to America? If the sourpuss set
cannot believe in our nation and her people, then
let them stand aside and we will get the job done.
In fairness, I'll admit our critics are worried sick
about the future of the economy. They're worried it
might keep getting better and better.
Now, those who deal in a world of numbers cannot
predict the progress of the human mind, the drive
and energy of the spirit, or the power of
incentives. We're beginning an industrial
renaissance which most experts never saw coming. It
started with the 1978 capital gains tax
reduction-passed over the objections of the last
administration-and which was then made greater by
our own tax reductions in 1981.
Incentives laid the seeds for the great growth in
venture capital which helped set off the revolution
in high technology. Sunrise industries, such as
computers, micro-electronics, robotics, and fiber
optics-all are creating a new world of
opportunities. And as our knowledge expands,
business investment is stimulated to modernize older
industries with the newer technologies.
Dr. Robert Jastrow, chairman of the first NASA lunar
exploration committee, believes the potential in our
high-tech industries for new jobs and economic
growth is mind-boggling. A year ago, he predicted
the computer industry would double in size by 1986,
becoming America's biggest business. And now we're
seeing the knowledge and benefits of high technology
being put to use in medicine, bringing new hope to
millions who suffer handicaps and disabilities.
Visionaries see infinite possibilities for new
economic growth in America's next frontier-space.
Our challenge of building a permanently manned space
station, and of further exploration, can open up
entire new industries. Products from metal alloys to
lifesaving medicines-these can immensely improve our
environment and life on Earth.
All our space-related activities must begin with the
transportation to get there. This is an area of
American technological leadership, and I intend to
make sure we keep that edge. That's why I've asked
Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole to start
immediately promoting private sector investment in
commercial, unmanned space boosters-the powerful
rockets that carry satellites into orbit. With these
boosters, and a thriving commercial launch industry,
American private enterprise will be blasting off
toward new horizons of hope, adventure, and
progress-a future that will dazzle our imaginations
and lift our spirits .
An opportunity society awaits us. We need only
believe in ourselves and give men and women of
faith, courage, and vision the freedom to build it.
Let others run down America and seek to punish
success. Let them call you greedy for not wanting
government to take more and more of your earnings.
Let them defend their tombstone society of wage and
price guidelines, mandatory quotas, tax increases,
planned shortages, and shared sacrifices.
We want no part of that mess, thank you very much.
We will encourage all Americans-men and women, young
and old, individuals of every race, creed, and
color-to succeed and be healthy, happy, and whole.
This is our goal. We see America not falling behind,
but moving ahead; our citizens not fearful and
divided, but confident and united by shared values
of faith, family, work, neighborhood, peace and
freedom.
An opportunity society begins with growth, and that
means incentives. As I told the people of Iowa last
week, my sympathies are with the taxpayers, not the
tax-spenders. I consider stopping them from taking
more of your earnings an economic responsibility and
a moral obligation. I will not permit an antigrowth
coalition to jeopardize this recovery. If they get
theil way, they'll charge everything on your
"Taxpayers Express Card." And believe me,
they never leave home without it.
As good conservatives, we were brought up to oppose
deficits . But sometimes I think some have forgotten
why. We were against deficit spending. Those who
would be heroes trying to reduce deficits by raising
taxes are not heroes. They have not addressed the
point I made in the State of the Union: whether
government borrows or increases taxes, it will be
taking the same amount of money from the private
economy and, either way, that's too much.
We must bring down government spending to a level
where it cannot interfere with the ability of the
economy to grow. The Congress must stop fiddling and
pass a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced
federal budget. With strong support from many of you
here, we nearly scored a great victory in 1982. It's
time to try again. We also seek a line-item veto to
prevent pork barrel projects from passing just
because they're attached to otherwise good
legislation. I'm sure we're united by one goal. The
Grace commission identified billions of dollars in
wasteful government spending. And I believe the
Congress has a responsibility to work with us and
eliminate that waste wherever it exlsts .
Combining these spending restraints with another key
reform will make America's economy the undisputed
leader for innovation, growth, and opportunity. I'm
talking about simplification of the entire tax
system. We can make taxes more fair, easier to
understand and, more important, we can greatly
increase incentives by bringing personal tax rates
down . If we can reduce personal tax rates as
dramatically as we've reduced capital gains taxes,
the underground economy will shrink, the whole world
will beat a path to our door, and no one will hold
America back. This is the real blueprint for a
brighter future and declining deficits .
But economic opportunities can only flourish if the
values at the foundation of our society and freedom
remain strong and secure. Our families and friends
must be able to live and work without always being
afraid. Americans are sick and tired of law-abiding
people getting mugged, robbed, and raped, while
dangerous criminals get off scot-free.
We have a comprehensive crime bill to correct this.
It would put an end to the era of coddling
criminals, and it 's been passed by the Senate. But
the legislation is bottled up in the House. Now,
maybe it's time they heard from a few of you-a few
million of you. You know, you don't have to make
them see the light; just make them feel the heat. I
hope you realize that in my comments about some of
the shortcomings of the Congress, believe me,
tonight present company is excepted.
Strengthening values also demands a national
commitment to excellence in education. If we are to
pioneer a revolution in technology, meet challenges
of the space age, and preserve values of courage,
responsibility, integrity, and love, then we can't
afford a generation of children hooked on cocaine
and unable to read or write. Conservatives have
pointed out for years that while federal spending on
education was soaring, aptitude scores were going
steadily down. Look at the case of New Hampshire. It
ranks dead last in state spending on education, but
its students have the highest SAT scores among those
states where at least half the students take the
test. And they've maintained that honor for more
than 10 years. America's schools don't need new
spending programs; they need tougher standards, more
homework, merit pay for teachers, discipline, and
parents back in charge.
Now there's another important reform to be voted on
soon in the Senate.... Let us come together,
citizens of all faiths, to pray, march, and mobilize
every force we have so the God who loves us can be
welcomed back into our children's classrooms. I'm
gratified that Congressman Newt Gingrich [R.-Ga.] is
organizing a rally on the Capitol steps in support
of our prayer in school amendment. Please be there
if you can, and please send the message loud and
clear that God never should have been expelled from
America's schools in the first place. And maybe if
we can get God and discipline back in our schools,
we can get drugs and violence out.
Now, let me make it plain that we seek voluntary
school prayer, not a moment of silence. We already
have the right to remain silent; we can take the 5th
Amendment.
But as we go on, we must redouble our efforts to
redress a national tragedy. Since the Roe v. Wade
decision, 15 million unborn children have been
lost-15 million children who will never laugh, never
sing, never know the joy of human love, will never
strive to heal the sick or feed the poor or make
peace among nations. They've been denied the most
basic of human rights, and we're all the poorer for
their loss.
Not long ago I received a letter from a young woman
named Kim. She was born with the birth defect, spina
bifida, and given little chance to live. But her
parents were willing to try a difficult and risky
operation on her spine. It worked. And Kim wrote me:
"I am now 24 years old. I do have some medical
problems due to my birth defect. I have a lot of
problems with my legs . But I'm walking. I can talk.
I went to grade and high school, plus one year of
college. I thank God every day for my parents and my
life."
And Kim said, "I wouldn't change it if I
could."
Life was her greatest opportunity, and she's made
the most of it. An opportunity society for all,
reaching for its future with confidence, sustained
by faith, fair play, and a conviction that good and
courageous people flourish when they're free-this is
the noble vision we share, a vision of a strong and
prosperous America, at peace with itself and the
world. Just as America has always been synonymous
with freedom, so, too, should we become the symbol
of peace across the Earth. I'm confident we can keep
faith with that mission.
Peace with freedom is our highest aspiration-a
lasting peace anchored by courage, realism, and
unity. We've stressed our willingness to meet the
Soviets halfway in talks on strategic weapons. But
as Commander in Chief, I have an obligation to
protect this country, and I will never allow
political expediency to influence these crucial
negotiations.
We should remember that our defense capability was
allowed to deteriorate for many years. Only when our
arms are certain beyond doubt can we be certain
beyond doubt that they will never be used.
PresidentJohn F. Kennedy spoke those words in 1961.
Too many who admired him have forgotten that the
price of peace is dear. But some members of his
party have not, and I am proud to have one of them,
a brilliant patriot, Jeane Kirkpatrick, by my side.
And I deeply appreciate your patriotic support for
rebuilding our defenses. We're just beginning to
restore our capability to meet present and future
security needs. I am open to suggestions for budget
savings, but defense is not just another federal
program. It is solely the responsibility of the
federal government. It is its prime responsibility.
So, our first responsibility is to keep America
strong enough to remain free, secure, and at peace,
and I intend to make sure that we do just that.
America's foreign policy supports freedom,
democracy, and human dignity for all mankind, and we
make no apologies for it. The opportunity society
that we want for ourselves we also want for others,
not because we're imposing our system on others but
because those opportunities belong to all people as
God-given birthrights and because by promoting
democracy and economic opportunity we make peace
more secure.
Democratic nations do not wage war on their
neighbors. But make no mistake, those who would hang
a "Do Not Disturb" sign on our shores,
those who would weaken America or give Castro's
terrorists free rein to bring violence closer and
closer to our borders are doing no service to the
cause of peace.
Fellow citizens, fellow conservatives, our time has
come again. This is our moment. Let us unite,
shoulder to shoulder, behind one mighty banner for
freedom. And let us go forward from here not with
some faint hope that our cause is not yet lost; let
us go forward confident that the American people
share our values, and that together we will be
victorious.
And in those moments when we grow tired, when our
struggle seems hard, remember what Eric Liddell,
Scotland's Olympic champion runner, said in Chariots
of Fire: "So where does the power come from to
see the race tO its end? From within. God made me
for a purpose, and I will run for His pleasure.
"
If we trust in Him, keep His word, and live our
lives for His pleasure, He'll give us the power we
need-power to fight the good fight, to finish the
race and to keep the faith.
Thank you very much. God bless you and God bless
America.
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