Ronald Reagan said this in his first inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1981:
"It is no coincidence that our present troubles parallel and are proportionate to the intervention and intrusion in our lives that result from unnecessary and excessive growth of government. It is time for us to realize that we're too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams. We're not, as some would have us believe, doomed to an inevitable decline. I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing. So, with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope."
Seems to fit today. My fear is that our current situation will spawn an "excessive growth of government" that will feed the bureaucracy monster and fat cats and starve the little guy.
Just before Christmas, GM in Detroit laid a bunch of people off, including a friend of mine ... by letter ... not even allowing him to come back and pack up his own things in his office. As taxpayers, these people helped fund the bailout of the company that fired them; they could at least be treated with courtesy.
(Makes you wish Reagan were still around.)
