now posting an excerpt of the speech that Reagan gave when he became President of the United States. So simple, so basic ... almost to kindergarten. I know that most Argentines do not like nice U.S., let alone Republicans, but someone tell me if it is not the speech we'd like to hear from our new president:
Senator Hatfield, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. President, Vice President Bush, Vice President Mondale, Senator Baker, Speaker O'Neill, Reverend Moomaw, and compatriots.
For a few of us here today this is a solemn and memorable occasion, and yet in the history of our nation, is something that occurs normally. The orderly transfer of authority, as established by the Constitution, takes place as has happened for nearly two centuries and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of many in the world, this four-year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing but a miracle.
Mr. President, I want our fellow citizens to know how much you did to keep this tradition. By virtue of our gracious cooperation in the transition process, you've taught a watching world that we are a united people pledged to maintaining a political system which guarantees individual liberty to a greater extent than any other and I thank you and your team for all their help in maintaining the continuity which is the bulwark of our Republic. The affairs of our nation goes forward. These United States face an economic affliction of great proportions. Suffer the longest and one of the worst sustained inflations in our national history. It distorts our economic decisions, penalizes savings and bankruptcy to the struggling young and retirees alike. Threatens to destroy the lives of millions of our people. Industries
send idle workers into unemployment, causing human misery and personal indignity. For those who do work are denied a fair reward for their labor with a tax system that penalizes success and prevents maintain full productivity.
But great as our tax burden, has not kept pace with our spending. For decades, we have accumulated a deficit after another, mortgaging our future and the future of our children for the temporary convenience of the present. To continue this long trend is to guarantee tremendous social upheaval, cultural, political and economic.
You and I, as individuals can, by borrowing, live beyond our means, but only for a limited time. Why, then, should think that collectively as a nation, we are not bound by that same limitation? We must act today in order to keep tomorrow. And let there be no mistake: we will begin to act, beginning today.
The economic woes have loomed upon us over several decades. Not disappear in days, weeks or months, but disappear. Disappear because we as Americans have the capacity now, as we had in the past, to do whatever it takes to do to preserve this last and greatest bastion of freedom.
In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem. The government is the problem. Occasionally, we have been tempted to think that society has become too complex to be managed by self-government, that government by an elite group is superior to government for and by people. But if none of us is capable of governing himself, who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together, within and outside government, must bear the weight. The solutions we seek must be equitable, without pointing to a group to pay the higher price.
hear much about interest groups. Our concern should be directed to an interest group that has been neglected for too long. It knows no boundaries sectoral or ethnic or racial divisions, and across political lines. It consists of men and women who grow our food, patrol our streets, working in our mines and our factories, teach our children, care for our homes and heal us when we are sick, professionals, industrialists, shopkeepers, managers, taxi drivers and truckers. They are, in short, "We the people", the people known as Americans.
Well, the goal of this administration will be a healthy, vigorous, growing to offer equal opportunities to all Americans without barriers encountered racism or discrimination. Back to put America back to work means putting all Americans to work. Ending inflation means freeing all Americans from the terror of runaway living costs. We must all take part in the productive work of this "new beginning" and we all sharing the spoils of a revitalized economy. With the idealism and justice that are the heart of our system and our strength, we 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 vice versa. And this makes us special among the nations of the earth. Our government has no power except that granted the people. It is time to correct and reverse the growth of government which shows signs of having grown beyond the consent of the governed.
is my intention to restrict the size and influence of the Federal and demand recognition the distinction between the powers granted to the Federal Government and those reserved to the states or people. We all need to remember that the Federal Government did not create the States, the States created the Federal Government.
To avoid misunderstandings, my intention is not to rid the state. It is, however, make it work, to work with us, not us, who is on our side, not ride on our backs. The state can and must provide opportunity, not smother, promoting productivity, not suppress it.
If you look at the answer to why, for so many years, we therefore prospered as no other people on Earth, it is because here in this land, we free the energy and genius of individual men more than it had ever done. Freedom and dignity of the individual have been more affordable here than in any other place on Earth. The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never refused to pay that price.
It is no coincidence that our present troubles parallel and proportional to the invention and intrusion in our lives resulting from unnecessary and excessive growth of government. It is time we realize that we are a nation too great to limit ourselves to small dreams. We are not condemned, as some would have us believe, inevitable decline. I I do not believe in a fate that will hover over us whatever we do. I believe in a fate that will hover over us if we do nothing. So, with all the creative energy at our disposal, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination, our courage, our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope.
We have every right to dream heroic. Those who say we live in a time when there are no heroes do not know where to look. You can see heroes every day going and coming from the factory gates. Others, a handful, produce enough food to feed all of us and foreigners. You may find you with heroes across the counter, on both sides. There are entrepreneurs with faith in themselves and faith in an idea who create new jobs, new wealth and opportunity. They are individuals and families whose taxes support the government and whose voluntary donations keep the church, charitable foundations, culture, art and education. Their patriotism is quiet but deep. Their values \u200b\u200bsustain our national life.
I used the word "them" and "their" in speaking of these heroes. I could say "you" and "your" because I am addressing the heroes of whom I mean: you, the citizens of this blessed land. Your dreams, your hopes, your goals will be the dreams, hopes, goals of this administration, with the help of God.
will reflect the compassion that is an important part of our way of being. How can we love our country and not love our fellow citizens and love them, offer your hand when they fall, heal them when they are sick, provide opportunities for them self to be equal in fact and not just in theory? [...]
In the days ahead, I will propose removing the roadblocks that have slowed our economy and reduced our 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 and not miles, but it will progress. It's time to wake up again to industrial giant, to return to government affairs, and lighten our punitive tax system. And these are our top priorities and, on these principles, there will be no compromises. [...]
with those neighbors and allies who share our freedom, we shook our historic ties and assure them our support and firm commitment. Respond to the loyalty with loyalty. We will strive to achieve mutually beneficial relationships. We will not use our friendship to impose on their sovereignty, for our own sovereignty is not for sale. And as regards the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, we will sacrifice ourselves for it, we will not surrender for it, now or ever.
[...]
May God bless and thanks.
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