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They tell us we must learn to live with less, and teach our children that their lives will be less full and prosperous than ours have been; that the America of the coming years will be a place where - because of our past excesses - it will be impossible to dream and make those dreams come true. I don't believe that. And, I don't believe you do either. That is why I am seeking the presidency. I cannot and will not stand by and see this great country destroy itself. Our leaders attempt to blame their failures on circumstances beyond their control, on false estimates by unknown, unidentifiable experts who rewrite modern history in an attempt to convince us our high standard of living, the result of thrift and hard work, is somehow selfish extravagance which we must renounce as we join in sharing scarcity. I don't agree that our nation must resign itself to inevitable decline, yielding its proud position to other hands. I am totally unwilling to see this country fail in its obligation to itself and to the other free peoples of the world.

Ronald Reagan#12

PoliticsLeadershipEconomyHopeOptimismAmbitionProsperity

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author rejects claims of national decline and promises to restore prosperity and dreams through leadership.
In plain terms
I will not let the country fail; we can still achieve our dreams.
What can you take from it?
Leaders should not accept decline but work to restore national prosperity.

Where it applies

  • political campaigns
  • national crisis discussions
  • motivating citizens

Putting it to work

  • delivering campaign speeches
  • promoting economic confidence
  • mobilizing voters

Questions to consider

  • Can a leader truly reverse national decline?
  • Is optimism enough to solve economic problems?

Another view

Promises of unlimited growth may ignore resource limits and systemic issues.

More from Ronald Reagan

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  3. Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.

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