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Ronald Reagan Inaugural Address Analysis

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Thirty-seven years ago, Ronald Reagan gave his inaugural address prior to taking office as the 40th president of the United States. Reagan was a Republican candidate who campaigned heavily against the government as well as his opponent. The government had grown into an imperious bureaucracy since the revising administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In his address, he stated that the “…government is the problem…” to the United States (325). Reagan maintained that the government was overspending and overregulating, deficit and inflation were high, and the tax burden was heavy. At the time of Reagan’s inauguration, the United States was “…confronted with an economic affliction of great proportions” (325). Not only was the country suffering from massive …show more content…

In addition, the unreasonable tax price kept the nation “…from maintaining full productivity” (325). Reagan stated that “We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow” (325). He proposed that the best way to solve the financial dilemma was to put all Americans into the workforce and “…reawaken this industrial giant…” (326). Furthermore, Reagan planned to end the financial crisis by “…removing the roadblocks that…slowed the economy and reduced productivity” (326). Moreover, the United States government had grown entirely too powerful. Reagan proposed that the problems facing the nation came from “…an unnecessary and excessive growth of government” (326). He also stated that it was “…time to check and reverse the growth of government…” since it had “…grown beyond the consent of the governed” (325). Reagan did not want to do away with the government; however, he did want to assure Americans that it would be under his competent control. Reagan wanted to affirm that the government would “…work with…not over…” the citizens (325). So, to further bring America’s problems to an end, Reagan sought “…to get government back within its means…” by “…restoring the balance between the various levels of

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During the era of the 1930’s, the United States grappled with a myriad of widespread economic issues. Following the Stock Market Crash of 1929, the United States economy was in shambles, with the loss of billions of dollars in revenue and the general destabilization of the United States economy. In light of the severe economic downturn, FDR stepped up to the presidency, advocating for a larger role of government intervention in an otherwise Laissez-Faire economic model. Half a century later, in 1981, Ronald Reagan assumed office. During this time period, the United States was in the midst of painfully slow economic progress, with this economic hardship being synonymous with terms such as “stagflation”.

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Reagan had the tendency to focus only on the “big issues” while the members of his Cabinet handled other matters. I found it intriguing that Reagan spent his presidency practicing a “hands-off management style” (Broussard 111). Reagan would make an executive decision on a matter, while others would put in work gathering information and coming up with policy alternatives. Broussard points out that Reagan’s concern while in office was inflation and “although he did not actually slay the beast…he left it weaker, wounded and far less dangerous” (Broussard 125). However, he also notes that battling inflation resulted in a serious recession and “the worst economic downturn…since the Great Depression of the 1930s” (Broussard 125).

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America knew that something had to change. “A competitive America—let alone a compassionate America—will need every trained mind and every pair of skilled hands.” Reagan's New Federalism marked a concrete shift from the Great Society programs of the 1960s and 1970s, which targeted minority groups that were struggling. Almost everybody was on board with this plan and contributed to the help, showing us that America is coming together, for the most part. Ronald Reagan's economic policies initially proved less successful than its partisans had hoped, the only reason was that they couldn't balance the budget correctly.

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These statistics that Reagan addressed helps the American people realize the amount of change that has occurred in the time that he has been in office has fairly increased the benefits of the American people in the late 80s. A brief statement given them the benefit of the doubt for what was once a broke down system, now a refined economic

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While King stressed the need for government action to promote equality and justice, Reagan promoted the principles of free markets and limited government. These debates continue to influence American political discourse and shape the policies and priorities of modern political leaders. Reagan’s vision for America was based on the classical liberal principles of individual liberty and limited government. In his “To Restore America” speech, Reagan expressed his belief in free-market principles and minimal government intervention. He argued that the best way to achieve economic prosperity and personal freedom was through policies that promoted individual responsibility and reduced government control.

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Paper 1 Ronald Reagan was and still is a very dynamic figure in American politics. Brought up on the values of the New Deal, Reagan underwent a major transformation in the 1940s and 1950s. His acting career dwindling to a series of guest roles on television shows, and a new conservative family chirping in his ear, Reagan would be heavily swayed by anti-tax and anti-government rhetoric. This shaped the cocoon for Reagan’s ideological metamorphosis and his entrance into the political spectrum.

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Mr. Reagan’s effective use of diction in his 2nd Inaugural Address allowed his listeners to have clear insight on his primary points in each of his presented, developed plans. During the chaotic times of 1985, Mr. Reagan wrote the phrase, “...we must not repeat the well-intentioned errors of our past.” (“Second”). The phrase “well-intentioned errors of our past” submits to the point that we obtained issues that were not seen as critical or significant. The nation simply did not see the little things to be as such said “problems.”

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The United States economy was in disarray, suffering after the 1979 energy crisis. Due to high unemployment and inflation, many Americans had lost faith in the government and the nation as a whole. When Reagan took office in 1981, the recession and this “national malaise” were already about a year old. However, many people faulted him for America’s poor condition. Immediately, he addressed the declining economy, introducing many new policies that came to be known as “Reaganomics.”

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She states “He sought to mend America’s wounded spirit, to restore the strength of the free world, and to free the slaves of communism”. Her tone implies that Reagan was a president of good moral standing and strong enough leadership skills to analyze and tackle these problems during his two terms. Thatcher’s language gives the audience a sense of pride and nationalism in having a president so willing and able to help his people and the economy they live in.

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By coordinating the talk of urban obligation with an excessive presentation of riches, Reagan's inaugural set the tone for an administration overflowing with mysteries. As Sean Wilentz appears in his new book, "The Age of Reagan: A

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The president presents statistics that support his pride for the growth that the country had experienced. The data corroborate the promise he had made to the American people four years ago to invigorate the economy and to revive the industrial giant that the United States is. The speech utilizes metaphors and symbolism representing the revival of the economy, the charge towards space exploration and the advancement of technology. The speech is organized logically moving from what has already been achieved, the current events and successes, and toward what he envisions for the nation. The facts that he refers to at the outset of his speech contribute to the great announcement of the Reagan Doctrine, which is the heart of the address.

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As mentioned previously, Ronald Reagan already challenged the status quo when he called for significant changes to the country. Rather it be changing and reducing taxes through fixing the tax code, increasing military spending, etc., we’re able to see this. It is without surprise that many people considered candidate Reagan’s ideas “radical” during the 1980 campaign, since the vast majority of political ideas and platforms largely contained a more liberal philosophy. In his first speech as president in his inaugural address, President Reagan swatted the vast increase in the government’s role in the past two decades. Rather than have the government attempt to solve all of our problems, the government is the cause for all our problems that America currently faces.

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The term “Reagan Revolution” is used to describe the era during Ronald Reagans two terms in office as President. Reagan ran on the platform of reduced government involvement. During his first inaugural address in 1981, Reagan stated “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” In years previous, if America had a problem, the government was there to step in and help. This is not the type of government that Regan wanted, he wanted the government to be more hands off.

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In this address he makes a sweeping critique of liberalism, big government, and federal payments. (Encyclopedia) In this speech, known as “A Time for Choosing” Reagan used logos, pathos, and mood to invoke people’s feelings about making the right choice when choosing their leader in order for society to have a stronger and successful future. Historical background

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