Quote of the day—Ronald Reagan

The starting point must be the Constitution, because, above all, we are a nation of laws and the foundation for our laws, or lack of same, is the Constitution. It is amazing to me how so many people pay lip service to the Constitution, yet set out to twist and distort it when it stands in the way of things they think ought to be done or laws they believe ought to be passed. It is also amazing to me how often our courts do the same thing.

Ronald Reagan
September 1975
Editorial, Guns & Ammo
[From Proclaiming Liberty: What Patriots and Heroes Really Said About the Right to Keep and Bear Arms by Philip Mulivor.

I was struck by how closely what Ted Cruz said a couple years ago matches what Reagan said decades earlier:

For a long time, a whole bunch of Democrats and unfortunately even some Republicans have been passing laws in this body without even asking where the basis is in the Constitution, and I think the Constitution should be the starting point for everything Congress does.

I agree with the sentiment but the cancer has spread so deep into the fabric of our society that rapidly ripping out the tumors would result in massive hemorrhaging. A slow removal almost certainly result in the tumor metastasizing and changing form to embed itself even deeper and perhaps more threating to the “patient”.

I’m nearly certain there is “too fast” and “too slow”. But what is “just right”?—Joe]

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13 thoughts on “Quote of the day—Ronald Reagan

  1. I’m not sure, given the depths and wide-spread nature of the tumors, if slow is even possible….

  2. Autocorrect Fail: s/out to/ought to/

    It’s quite sad that the stated assumption is that they are simply mistaken. It’s a deliberate act of gramscian thugs – not some polite disagreement over policy.

  3. What else do you expect when the primary product of our elite colleges and universities are…. lawyers?
    Yeah, there are a few good ones, but the rest of them are trying to create work for themselves, which means acting as parasites on everyone else.

    • “In nothing did the founders of this country so demonstrate their essential naivete than in attempting to constrain government from all its favorite abuses, and entrusting the enforcement of those protections to judges; that is to say, men who had been lawyers; that is to say, men professionally trained in finding plausible excuses for dishonest and dishonorable acts.” — H. L. Mencken

  4. “For a long time, a whole bunch of Democrats and unfortunately even some Republicans have been passing laws in this body without even asking where the basis is in the Constitution…”

    And not only that, but laughing about it and saying “Are you serious?” when asked.

    • Yes. But Cruz is wrong when he said “even some Republicans”. The correct statement is “all Democrats as well as most Republicans”. The number who actually pay some attention to the Constitution and what it says can just about be counted on the thumbs of both hands.
      One difference is that I can’t remember any recent examples of Republicans ridiculing the Constitution, as Pelosi and Clyburn have done so memorably. But that’s hardly sufficient.

  5. Makes you wonder what Constitution Reagan was reading when he advocated for and signed the Mulford Act as governor of California banning open carry of any loaded firearm (that would seem like “bear(ing) arms”). Or why he endorsed the Brady Bill. ‘It’s just plain common sense that there be a waiting period to allow local law enforcement officials to conduct background checks on those who wish to buy a handgun,’ the former president said.’” (The Brady Bill included a seven day waiting period, which is what led to the creation of the NICS instant check system).

    • About 15-20 years ago, I got to know a man who called Ronald Reagan “his best friend.” The stories he told! I believe, if the internet had existed during Reagan’s lifetime, he would not have been as revered as he is.

      • Whatever…
        A few years ago, I met a woman who claimed she was Winston Churchills wife.

        Can’t wait to hear his awesome totally true stories.

        • So, if you met Bill Gates and he told you Barack Obama was his best friend, you would doubt him? This man was famous in his own right. At any rate, I’m not repeating his stories or telling his name. I’m just amused at how people view Reagan considering….

    • Yes, it’s clear that Reagan was one of those “some republicans” that Cruz was talking about. So is Cruz.

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