Inauguration Hope
Over the past 50 years, two President's have been true inspirational leaders, Kennedy and Reagan. On January 20th, we have a chance for a third.
Each President is faced with unique challenges and differing circumstances, but there are common threads from which one can draw wisdom. Hopefully, President Elect Obama has done just that.
Kennedy and Reagan recognized that there is a role for government, but it's the tremendous innovative and productive capacity of the United States private sector that is the engine for prosperity and liberty. They understood that we as individuals in a free nation have unlimited potential, and together can accomplish phenomenal things. They gave us reason to be optimistic, and motivated us to act on that optimism. Most importantly, though, Kennedy and Reagan appreciated that government is a better facilitator than problem solver.
Over the past several months, we've experienced a very activist government. Some of that activism has been well-founded; some has not. In this current climate, the great risk, of course, is that government intervention comes to be viewed as necessary and routine, rather than situational and anomalous. If not harnessed properly, Obama's considerable political capital and good will could work to his and our long-term disadvantage. Let's hope he won't use it to expand government, but rather to empower the people and reinvigorate our wounded quasi-free-market system.
As I ponder what themes Obama might focus on in his inaugural address, and how he'll attempt to boost national confidence and unleash our great potential, it is hard not to hearken back to Kennedy and Reagan. Their presidencies, though only twenty years apart, were framed by very different global and domestic circumstances; yet each, in his inaugural address, was able to arouse our national spirit, desire to achieve, and sense of personal responsibility.
Reagan's words on January 20, 1981 are just as compelling and on-the-mark today as they were then:
- "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 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 is 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."
Kennedy's words on January 20, 1961, and in many other memorable speeches, were also noteable for their adeptness at stimulating individuals to take responsibility, and for their recognition of the importance of limited government:
- "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."
- "A tax cut means higher family income and higher business profits and a balanced federal budget. Every taxpayer and his family will have more money left over after taxes for a new car, a new home, new conveniences, education and investment. Every businessman can keep a higher percentage of his profits in his cash register or put it to work expanding or improving his business, and as the national income grows, the federal government will ultimately end up with more revenues."
- "Our tax system still siphons out of the private economy too large a share of personal and business purchasing power and reduces the incentive for risk, investment and effort — thereby aborting our recoveries and stifling our national growth rate."
Both men clearly understood the transformative power of freedom and liberty. And, they comprehended the fine line government must walk so as not to overstep its bounds and impinge on the freedom and liberty for which we've worked so hard.
In 2008, has government gone too far? If it hasn't crossed the line, it has certainly straddled it. Its performance has definitely rattled our confidence—in the economy, and in government itself. On a positive note, the structural problems of our financial system have largely been blunted, albeit painfully. So, on January 20, 2008, President Obama has a remarkable opportunity...and fortunately, the skill to take advantage of it. I have high expectations that he will get beyond the perfunctory and deliver something in the Kennedy/Reagan tradition—challenging, yet optimistic; inspiring, yet achievable; but most importantly, empowering of the people and our capitalist system, not the government. Hopefully, my practicality has not been blinded by my optimism.
Each President is faced with unique challenges and differing circumstances, but there are common threads from which one can draw wisdom. Hopefully, President Elect Obama has done just that.
Kennedy and Reagan recognized that there is a role for government, but it's the tremendous innovative and productive capacity of the United States private sector that is the engine for prosperity and liberty. They understood that we as individuals in a free nation have unlimited potential, and together can accomplish phenomenal things. They gave us reason to be optimistic, and motivated us to act on that optimism. Most importantly, though, Kennedy and Reagan appreciated that government is a better facilitator than problem solver.
Over the past several months, we've experienced a very activist government. Some of that activism has been well-founded; some has not. In this current climate, the great risk, of course, is that government intervention comes to be viewed as necessary and routine, rather than situational and anomalous. If not harnessed properly, Obama's considerable political capital and good will could work to his and our long-term disadvantage. Let's hope he won't use it to expand government, but rather to empower the people and reinvigorate our wounded quasi-free-market system.
As I ponder what themes Obama might focus on in his inaugural address, and how he'll attempt to boost national confidence and unleash our great potential, it is hard not to hearken back to Kennedy and Reagan. Their presidencies, though only twenty years apart, were framed by very different global and domestic circumstances; yet each, in his inaugural address, was able to arouse our national spirit, desire to achieve, and sense of personal responsibility.
Reagan's words on January 20, 1981 are just as compelling and on-the-mark today as they were then:
- "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 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 is 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."
- "In this present
crisis, government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem."Kennedy's words on January 20, 1961, and in many other memorable speeches, were also noteable for their adeptness at stimulating individuals to take responsibility, and for their recognition of the importance of limited government:
- "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."
- "A tax cut means higher family income and higher business profits and a balanced federal budget. Every taxpayer and his family will have more money left over after taxes for a new car, a new home, new conveniences, education and investment. Every businessman can keep a higher percentage of his profits in his cash register or put it to work expanding or improving his business, and as the national income grows, the federal government will ultimately end up with more revenues."
- "Our tax system still siphons out of the private economy too large a share of personal and business purchasing power and reduces the incentive for risk, investment and effort — thereby aborting our recoveries and stifling our national growth rate."
Both men clearly understood the transformative power of freedom and liberty. And, they comprehended the fine line government must walk so as not to overstep its bounds and impinge on the freedom and liberty for which we've worked so hard.
In 2008, has government gone too far? If it hasn't crossed the line, it has certainly straddled it. Its performance has definitely rattled our confidence—in the economy, and in government itself. On a positive note, the structural problems of our financial system have largely been blunted, albeit painfully. So, on January 20, 2008, President Obama has a remarkable opportunity...and fortunately, the skill to take advantage of it. I have high expectations that he will get beyond the perfunctory and deliver something in the Kennedy/Reagan tradition—challenging, yet optimistic; inspiring, yet achievable; but most importantly, empowering of the people and our capitalist system, not the government. Hopefully, my practicality has not been blinded by my optimism.
Comments