GOV’ERNMENT, n. 1. Direction; regulation. These precepts will serve for the government of our conduct. 2. Control; restraint. Men are apt to neglect the government of their temper and passions. 3. The exercise of authority; direction and restraint exercised over the actions of men in communities, societies, or states; the administration of public affairs, according to established constitutions, laws and usages, or by arbitrary edicts.
——–
“When those who are governed do too little, those who govern can – and often will – do too much.” – Governor Ronald Reagan. Date: January 4, 1971. Second Inaugural Address as Governor of California, Sacramento, California
“Man is not free unless government is limited….As government expands, liberty contracts.” – President Ronald Reagan
“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” – President Ronald Reagan. Date: August 15, 1986. White House Conference on Small Business.
“It´s so hard for government planners, no matter how sophisticated, to ever substitute for millions of individuals working night and day to make their dreams come true. The fact is, bureaucracies are a problem around the world.” – President Ronald Reagan
“Welfare’s purpose should be to eliminate, as far as possible, the need for its own existence.” – President Ronald Reagan
“Ours was the first revolution in the history of mankind that truly reversed the course of government, and with three little words: ‘We the people.’ ‘We the people’ tell the government what to do, it doesn’t tell us. ‘We the people’ are the driver, the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast. Almost all the world’s constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which ‘We the people’ tell the government what it is allowed to do. ‘We the people’ are free. This belief has been the underlying basis for everything I’ve tried to do….” – President Ronald Reagan. Date: January 11, 1989. Farewell Address to the Nation.
Ronald Reagan’s Inaugural Address. January 20, 1981