One for the Gipper"

The Gipper is gone. But he will not be forgotten.

Even Ronald Reagan's political enemies salute his
optimistic spirit and his undaunted faith in the
American people. It was this connection with the
people that allowed Reagan to remold much of American
politics.

Reagan never saw himself as a professional
politician. "One thing our Founding Fathers could not
foresee," Reagan once told students, "was a nation
governed by professional politicians who had a vested
interest in getting reelected. They probably
envisioned a fellow serving a couple of hitches and
then . . . getting back to the farm."

Unlike career politicians, Reagan had
convictions . . . and the courage of those
convictions. Jack Kemp put it this way: "Most
politicians talk about policies and the changing
issues of the day. Ronald Reagan talked about
principles -- deeply held beliefs. Policies shift
with the breeze of public opinion, but principles are
anchors, even in a storm."

President Reagan also had enormous confidence in the
average American. "My optimism comes not just from my
strong faith in God," the Gipper offered, "but from
my strong and enduring faith in man." Another time,
he remarked, "We don't have to turn to our history
books for heroes. They're all around us."

And in his farewell address, Reagan modestly stated,
"I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated
great things, and they didn't spring full bloom from
my brow, they came from the heart of a great nation."

Perhaps the most appropriate way to honor the memory
of Ronald Reagan is to share his abundant faith that,
even now, America's best days are ahead.

__________________
Irish---Better to be dead & cool,then alive & uncool!
(Harley Davidson & the Marlboro Man)