"When you start talking about
government as 'we' instead of 'they,'
you have been in office too long."
by:
Ronald Reagan
(1911-2004) 40th US President
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Reader comments about this quote:
 -- Jean Wolff, Bloomington      
Term limits anyone.
 -- jim k, austin     
    		•  
    If you are in office, then it is a "we", and not accepting that is to not do anything about it more so than what language is used. Lets not forget that this man was very much a politician, as evidenced by how many folks he pulled the wool over their eyes!
     -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US     
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    "WE the People" is the way democracy is supposed to work. Ronald Wilson Reagan was dead wrong on this one, besides the Federal Government, the budget deficit and trade deficits grew larger and more quickly under "small government" Reagan than under any other president until Bush II.
     -- Motorod, San Diego, CA     
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    Has the right attitude toward government.
     -- warren, olathe     
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    We The People were to be a Representative Republic, limited by a Constitution that was based on the laws of nature and of nature's God (for one reason - because of the hate and fear the founders had for democracy). What 'We've' ended up with is a socialistic theocracy where the slaves are allowed to choose who will represent the alien Theocracy's despots in suppressing the once noble We The People. "They" detest and work against inalienable rights.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    The man was an idiot and yes as Reston said still pulls wool over floks eyes. If he had known anything about America and Self-Government he would have known that government in the US is US or WE. By the way did all you folks vote, if you did you are the government, if you did not well you are not the government.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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     -- Dick, Fort Worth      
    That's a good one, Waffler. I got a good laugh out of that one. So, you really think your vote means something? You really think those letters to your representative are actually read, or what you think actually matters to them (that's right, THEM). Remember, this administration no longer governs us, they "rule us" as was said by some administration hack. This just happens to be the first administration that actually admitted it. We've been ruled by the alphabet agencies for at least a generation, telling us where we can go, what we can do, what we say. Now they are about to regulate the gas we exhale and which doctor we'll be allowed to see, and how often. How long before they tell us what groceries we can buy? How long before they set your thermostat in your house for you? How long before you are only allowed to wipe with two sheets of toilet paper?
     -- Ken, Allyn, WA     
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    I guess I am to assume that you did not and do not vote Ken. I'm sorry and saddened I really am.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    Ken I do write and email my congressman. Recently concerning evironmental concers. His email and phone system were full so I guess many wrote to him. He did not vote the way I would have wanted, since he is an Alabama Democrat and former mayor of Montgomery. The difference between you and I is that you expect your letters and emails to be followed to the T. You probably are a would be dictator expecting your every word to be followed. Democracy does not work that way my friend.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    Every once in a while when I have an extra minute to click on the quote and read comments, there's good ol' Waffler and its not too shocking that his views are what they are. Not too many conservative minded people have quite so much time on their hands- after all, someone has to work so that wealth can be redistributed!
     -- Anonymous     
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    That is Reagan's point of view, to which I agree. Individual representation means individual liability, unless representation is otherwise proven. Election alone is not enough. Participation of the people on a major new issue decision, for instance, is a must before a Representative can say "We" this or "we" that.
     -- Elisabeth, Astoria, NY     
    		•  
    I vote Waffler, even though it is a sham. My side, freedom, never wins though. Even if does happen to be close here in the Soviet of Washington state, there will be some bags of magical ballots that appear behind a cabinet in some strategic precinct. Of course these voters all seem to have curiously learned their handwriting in the same classroom. The zombie vote (D)-WA is always helpful in a close election too. I write my representatives and senators as well, always respectful and as cogent and well reasoned as I can make it. The canned responses I receive in return (if I get one at all) just tell me in short to mind my own business and leave the governing to my betters. If you still believe in the Kabuki theater called government, I wish you well.
     -- Ken, Allyn, WA     
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    Reagan was a great Pres., but he refused to say it was a Conspiracy against God and man going on.... so in effect he condoned what is happening. Probably didn't want to be shot out of a rolling limo! So be wary of those who would call our so-called modern heros 'great'
     -- Jim Birsen, Middddleburgh     
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    Depending on the context of Reagan's quote, I can agree with it. Perhaps he means that if 'we' think we are the government, 'we' don't know what is really going on, or perhaps it is for those officials in government who say 'we' are the government. Cute quote, but too maleable for 5 stars.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Waffler, I have posted this a multiple of times and so here it is for any new readers. "A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years" (Lysander Spooner). Amerika's jailers - the "we' - having no regard for Constitutional / Natural Law look at the once sovereign(s) "they" as chattel to be driven and disposed of as is most profitable for the "we".
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Ronald certainly was in office way too long - long after he failed to make any sense at all.
     -- anonymous     
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    anonymous, I understand the ad hominem, what are your thoughts on the quote ?
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Speaking of those in the loop at that time. The government, those in office do think of themselves as the gov rather than servants of the WE. Once in the club screw the rest. And the lest always suffer the most.
     -- Ron w13, Or     
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    Waffler is saddened that Ken may not have voted. That's a load of BS. So what if he may or may not have voted. I once saw a quote that said, "Don't vote, it just encourages the bastards." A lot of truth there.
     -- jim k, austin tx     
    		•  
    Very well said Jim. Then they would have to wait on us ! Every body wanting some body else to move the out house and take the trash out. And fix the hole in the driveway. The problem is only a few can afford it. Some times people live way to close together, and that is most of the time.
     -- Ron w13, Or     
    		•  
     
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