We are re-publishing articles from our archives, this one written by former ORA President, Dale E. Schuster. This is from the October-November 1998 Issue of the Sharpshooter.
The other day, a book I had ordered came in the mail. As usual I had to look at the first couple of pages and found I could not put it down It’s a small book, only 165 pages measuring five by seven inches, yet this book captivated my attention like few others. The name of this book is The Uncommon Wisdom of Ronald Regan edited by Bill Adler.
Oh yes, I can hear some of you now, “Too Old, Ex-President, Has-been, Wasn’t-that-great-a-president, and heaven forbid, Iran-Contra affair.”
Stop! Enough Already!
Allow me to quote a few passages from the book, then you tell me.
On the Government, Regan said: “No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size, Government programs, once launced, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on earth.
When Regan was asked how to handle enthusiasm like that he found on the campaign trail, he said: “I pray I will be deserving. I always tried to remember that; otherwise the power goes to your head, and history books are littered with such unsavory people.”
Even the assasination attempt did not change the President’s view on gun control: “I believe that law-abiding citizens have a right to bear arms. I believe, too, that within that right comes a responsibility to use guns safely and in compliance with the law… So I believe, as I’ve said before, that we should concentrate on increasing the penalties for those who use guns to commit crime.”
Well, you say, where are you going with this, Dale? For those of you who haven’t second-guessed me, stick around.
One more: “Our founding fathers fought not only for our political rights, but also to secure the economic freedoms without which these political freedoms are no more than a shadow.”
President Ronald Regan was our President from 1981 to 1998 and our fortieth President. Is it not amazing how far we have slid downhill into political and moral decat at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in just nine years and two presidents?
For all he may have done wrong while in office, President Regan was a saint compared to what’s up there now. If you don’t believe me, call your local library and check out this book, read what a president with courage and honesty was really like and what the thought of you as an American.
This November you have a chance to help start a change that we must continue over the next two years, and then for probably a long time. You must get out and vote!
I don’t want to hear how you haven’t the time, or how you think all politicians are crooked, or I certainly don’t want to hear about how your daddy was a Democrat (or Republican) and how you never vote unless it’s Democrat and you’ll never vote for the other party… etc, etc, etc, ad nauseam. To those of you in this last group, you are responsible for the “hits” we took on our gun rights in the last six years. You had better learn something other than straight party voting, quick!
For those of you who voted for the little Texan with big ears (thought you were going to get away, didn’t you… uh, uh, here comes) you might as well have voted for the “dopte from Hope.” Perot state he would use the U.S. Army to go door-to-door and collect all the guns and drugs to help stop crime. I hear him say it! Bush or Dole may not have been the greatest material for President, but they sure as hell beat wht’s up there now.
November 3, 1998, the polls open at 7:00 AM… Educate yourself and VOTE!
Last one: “Freedom is not to be secured in any one moment of time. We must struggle in any one moment of time. We must struggle to preserve it every day, and freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”
To quote Jeff Cooper, “I miss Ronnie.”
So do I Col. Cooper. So do I!
