77-23-A3

- Main Page \ Reagan Radio Commentaries \ 1977

<< Previous Broadcast

Next Broadcast >>

Socialism

Transcript I guess all of us have had the experience of getting into a discussion and coming up with the right answer two hours later when we're all alone. I'll be right back. My award for someone who thought of the right answer while the discussion was still going on as a young man named Brad Laniweaver, a member of Young Americans for Freedom at Pennsylvania State University. He has written of an encounter on the campus with a pretty young lady who believes socialism is the answer to our problems. His own philosophy was self-evident, because he was wearing a button that proclaimed "Cut Down Big Government." With the cool breeze stirring her hair she asked what Brad described as her ace-up-the-sleeve question. "Even you right-wingers don't want to starve. Wouldn't you like a guarantee that you won't ever go hungry?" Brad knew that if he admitted to this she'd follow with, "So why not such a guarantee for shelter, medicine and all the rest?" He paused and then gave her the victory she was seeking, or so she thought. He said, "Sure. I'd like to lay my hands on everything I can get." "Oh," she said, "but the state is the closest you can come to such a guarantee." Brad described her as braced for a counter-attack involving the magic of the market mechanism but he threw another curve. "Sure," he said "I grant that. There's something more. I'd like a guarantee of shelter and medical treatment and even some recreation." She must have thought she had a convert. A little shocked she spoke, "But that's what we support! Why are you wearing that button?" She meant, of course, that "Cut Down Big Government" button. Brad wasn't finished. He said to her, "I would also like a yacht." Somewhat defeated, she answered, "Well, if you're not going to be serious about it..." "But I am!" Brad said as earnestly as he could. "I would really and truly like a yacht! Also a seaside villa." "Look," she said sternly, "You know what I'm talking about. Sharing! I'm not interested in your greedy daydreams. I'm asking what everyone should have." "Alright." Brad answered. "I understand. Let everyone have a yacht." "But how?" she asked lucidly with the first sign of a rational thought. "Don't bother me with that." he said. "There'll be a way, I'm sure. Just so everyone has a yacht. However there is one more thing I would like." "What?" she asked. "Two yachts." Brad wrote that she looked rather unpleasant at that point and he feared for his safety. Then she declared, "It's people like you who keep socialism from working." And Brad agreed. "Yes, quite right. Perhaps if people like me were put away somewhere, socialism would have a chance." By now she was really glaring as she tried to think of an answer. Brad continued. "But there's still one problem. How many are there like me?" "Well, not as many as you think." she said and walked away. And then brad came up with a really appropriate last line. He wrote, "There she's wrong and that's why she's a socialist." Right he is. Socialists ignore the side of man that is of the spirit. They can provide shelter, fill your belly with bacon and beans, treat you when you're ill. All the things that are guaranteed to a prisoner or a slave. They don't understand that we also dream. Yes, even of some time owning a yacht. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening.		Details Batch Number 77-23-A3 Production Date 11/21/1977 Book/Page N/A Audio Yes Youtube? No
		Added Notes Repeated from 1976