[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt1fYSAChxs[/youtube]
I became a conservative by watching this speech on television in 1964 at the age of seven. What he said in that speech still defines American conservatism for me, and, I think, the vast majority of conservatives in this country. As the intellectual godfather of the modern conservative movement in America, Russell Kirk said:
Contrary to some truly misguided individuals, conservatives do not “worship” Reagan. Reagan was simply a man, who made mistakes and had his share of human foibles and flaws. However, he has never been surpassed for his ability to articulate conservatism to the American people and to convince vast swathes of the American people to embrace conservatism. Reagan was the greatest conservative statesman in American history, and I pray that I will see a leader as great as him again in my lifetime, although I do not expect that I, or the country, will be that fortunate.
There have only been a handful of leaders of Reagan’s ilk. When you think about it, that’s what makes him stand out. After all, if every political leader matched Reagan’s skills he wouldn’t be so special.
That’s why it’s a bit of a mistake to constantly try to re-create the magic. You’re not always going to be able to draft the next Michael Jordan, but it isn’t so awful having the next Tim Duncan.
Leaders like Reagan are important in that they help raise the bar in what we expect from leaders. Too many leaders, through their acts of omission and comission, spend every waking second attempting to lower the bar of expectations, and they usually succeed in doing so.
……he was the best…..he “hit the nail on the head”…when this counrty goes, the rest of the world is done……and we’re “going” fast !!!!!!! Happy Memorial Day……we probaly don’t have many left !!!!!!!!! God help us !!!!!!
Michael S.