Our need for wisdom. by Steve Hutchinson
(conservative)
Friday, March 5, 2010
"In closing, let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your president. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that day may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future. I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."
Ronald R. Reagan 40th President of the United States
November 5, 1994 (from his letter to the American people revealing his Alzheimer's diagnosis)
In the face of rising unemployment and unimaginable budget deficits, it is difficult at times to draw on our optimistic nature. For my personal strength I read the writings of our past Presidents. From these great men I can draw on the optimism they held as our country faced many difficult issues such as our fight for independence, battling tyranny and seeking justice for the oppressed throughout the world.
Probably no President has stirred this Nation in an era of its greatest need of leadership than that of Ronald Reagan. He was a true patriot and one who believed in personal sacrifice as his patriotic duty and a way of life.
President Reagan came to office at a time when our country faced tremendous problems. Inflation was squeezing the life out of many American's pocketbooks. Interest rates were at unseen highs and our country's tax policy was at its confiscatory limits. Our Nation had lost it preeminence as a world leader and we were buffeted by theocratic governments espousing terrorism as their central influence.
President Reagan accepted these challenges and many more during his two-term tenure. He took steps to reduce government in our daily lives, both in overregulation and taxation. He pioneered trade policies that to this day continue to strengthen American commerce. He crushed our enemies of the Cold War and returned America to a stature of respect and honor. But his greatest accomplishment might be the restored spirit of confidence and determination he gave this great Nation.
What saddens me is that our youth will probably never learn all that President Reagan meant to this Nation. Our government education system deals little with our history and teaches even less about our great leaders. It has always been our responsibility to encourage and teach our children and grandchildren these values and to honor this Nation. Today this could never be truer.
Our times in this generation are uncertain and for many our Nation seems to lack the leadership of years past. But as difficult as it seems, we can draw on the words of our great leaders of the past and give thanks to have lived in their generation and hope our leaders of today will seek wisdom.
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