Happy thoughts for Labor Day from President Reagan

As the unemployment rate soars (9.7% and some areas of Michigan and Ohio would be thrilled with that figure), and jobs are not being created, it's time to look at a stimulus that really did work. Notice. If Obama wants to improve health, he should first correct the continued downward spiral of this economy, the worst in 26 years. Job insecurity and unemployment are not good for health. If he just wants to take over more of the private sector, he should continue on his current course.

"Common sense told us that when you put a big tax on something, the people will produce less of it. So, we cut the people's tax rates, and the people produced more than ever before. The economy bloomed like a plant that had been cut back and could now grow quicker and stronger. Our economic program brought about the longest peacetime expansion in our history: real family income up, the poverty rate down, entrepreneurship booming, and an explosion in research and new technology. We're exporting more than ever because American industry became more competitive. And at the same time, we summoned the national will to knock down protectionist walls abroad instead of erecting them at home." . . .

"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 these past eight years."

Ronald Reagan Farewell speech, Jan. 11, 1989.

It looks like we the people, the citizen politicians, have some work to do. Or we won't be a beacon much longer.