This school speech and the reaction by conservatives has really gotten my dander up. In our local area, drastic measures are being taken to insure that the demands of the extreme reactionaries are met...previews of the speech by educators and parents prior to student viewing; refusal to show the speech during school hours (children can watch it at home with their parents); and citizens keeping their children out of school on that day so that they will not be 'contaminated' by the President's words.
In short, a complete lack of respect by both educators and parents for the office of the President.
I understand their tumult. When Reagan addressed my oldest child while she was at school, I felt it unnecessary for him to talk about taxes and gun control. When my two younger children were addressed by Bush at school, I felt it was a political move intended to promote his agenda and buoy up his chances in the election. But I did not protest, did not pull my children out of school. I felt confident that my words and my ethics would stand my children in good stead, that they had reason enough to assimilate the propaganda and view it with their own perspectives. During Bush II's reign, I was virtually commanded to respect Bush simply because he WAS president. My children were exposed to people who called their mother names, ranted against my patriotism, and tried to convert them. I'm proud to say that they followed their own minds, despite these influences. I would hope that the children of today, especially Conservative's children, would have the same presence of mind. But it still irks me that they are so disrespectful of the President. So, in a very snarky, very evil-spirited mood, I offer this speech to President Obama in hopes that if he gives it, and if it is demonized, he can simply point to the source. My changes are italicized.
The President. Thank you all, and welcome to the White House, and thank you for joining me today.
As you know, my remarks are being broadcast live over radio and television to students throughout the country. While I was in at the economic summit, I found myself thinking about all of you, and I decided that when I got back it'd be good to report to you -- share some thoughts that I've been having about the future.
In general, conditions in our country are about as bright as this very bright afternoon. I was worrying when I put that line in there that it might start to rain, and I'd have to say something else. [Laughter] We've been working to take an economy that was in bad shape and get it moving and growing again; take health care and make it first-rate again after a long period of decline; and to restore reason, respect, and reality to our foreign policy. And I think it's fair to say that we've made a good deal of progress.
Our economy suffers from recession, banking problems, a war in two countries, and steadily increasing unemployment. A lot of people can't find jobs, and people on fixed incomes are finding it harder to buy the basics, such as food and shelter. Well, we provided a stimulus program, implemented the SCHIP to insure children are cared for medically, our economy is beginning the long climb back to recovery, and that's been good economic news.
The good news in defense is that our Armed Forces, which were suffering from long deployments and low funding, have now made a comeback. Morale is up in the services, and the quality of our men and women in uniform has never been better -- and I mean never. As a matter of fact, we have the highest percentage of high school graduates in uniform today than we've ever had in the history of our nation, even back when we had the compulsory draft. In addition, our nation has encouraged a more realistic sense of defense needs.
In foreign affairs we've kept our friends close and the lines of communication with our adversaries open. We've tried to give the world the sense that the United States has a coherent and logical foreign policy that reflects our respect for freedom and our opposition to tyranny.
The point is that all we've done has had, and will continue to have, a direct impact on your lives. And the fact is, it's your future, not ours. And all that we've done, we've done with an eye toward how it would impact you. We want to make your future better, because tomorrow belongs to you. And since you're the leaders of tomorrow, I wanted to talk to all of you as a friend about the things you'll have to do to ensure a prosperous nation and a peaceful world. And I'm sure that peace and prosperity must be at the top of your agenda for the future.
You have some special responsibilities ahead of you -- very important responsibilities. America is back, yes, but we still face major challenges in the world. And it's your generation that will have to accept the primary responsibility for tackling these challenges. It's important that you're fit for the future and that you be all that you can be. So, go for it! In the area of education you have a responsibility to try to learn and care about scientific and intellectual inquiry. The world is an increasingly competitive place. And if we're to compete, we'll have to do it with brainpower -- your brainpower. So, keep learning and hit those books.
We have to remain economically competitive, and that means being aware of two things: first, what makes economies tick, and second, what works in other societies. We've been trying very hard in Washington to make America even more economically fit by really overhauling our entire tax structure. When we came into office, the top personal tax rate that the Federal Government could put on your income was only 35 percent. Now, you can understand, I think, that if you were getting up in those high brackets -- depending on the amount of money in each bracket you earned. And when you could look and say, If I earn another dollar, I get to keep 65 cents out of it, but only if you earned more than $372,950. Most people, who earn less than $33,950, only pay 15%, which would mean you keep 85 cents of every dollar you make. You'll notice that's only a 20% difference between tax rates for the ones who make the most and the ones who make an average amount. Now we're trying to even it out so that families making an average amount can keep more of their money, those who make the most money pay their fair share, and the national economy will be lean and trim and fit for the future.
And it's your generation that will defend freedom from its adversaries. The biggest contribution you can make to that quest is to become a good citizen. Good citizenship is vitally important if democracies are to continue. Good citizenship means trying to understand the issues and great questions of your day. It also means voting. To vote is to take part in this grand experiment called democracy in America. It's your right and your responsibility to take part. Good citizenship also might mean considering going into teaching as a profession. You could give to others the advantages you've been given if you become a teacher yourself. And it's also important that you stay in school. That diploma counts. And I just want to personally congratulate those who have overcome some disadvantage and who stuck it out and will graduate this year.
And part of being a good citizen, part of being fit for the future so that you can meet America's agenda for the future, is seeing to it that you live your life with a clear mind and a steady intellect. And that means saying no to drugs. When you come right down to it, drugs are just a dead-end street. They have nothing to offer you. I think you also ought to remember we only get one set of machinery. If you wear this set out, you can't take it and trade it in someplace for a used one or a new one. So, what you do now and early in your life decides how able you're going to be to enjoy yourself when you get to be my age.
And I want to tell you, I'm enjoying myself. I've talked to young people from everywhere. And let me tell you, they're incredibly bright and talented, and they're going to create quite a future for themselves. And you can't keep up or catch up if you allow your mind to be clouded by drugs.
Well, that's more or less what I wanted to say to you today. I'll be talking to many young people over the next few months, and I'll be expanding on certain points and amplifying certain themes. But for today, before your questions, I just want to let you know that I have been thinking about you very much. You are a special generation, and you're facing special challenges. And the biggest is to be ready for a future that will prove to be demanding and exciting. We've entered the 21st century, a time that'll have more than its share of great wonders. The next 10 or 15 years may well be the most exciting and challenging in the history of man. There's the continuing revolution in technology, the possibility of curing diseases that have stalked us from the caveman era. There's the marvelous conquest of space, a rich frontier whose riches we've barely glimpsed. And there's the struggle between the democracies and those countries which are not democratic.
All of these possibilities bring with them questions. And it's your generation that will have to answer them. That makes you all very important, indeed. You have much before you. And all I can say is that you've begun brilliantly. Continue to pursue excellence. Be proud of your country and its heritage, and be proud of yourselves, as we are proud of all of you.
Now, that's all I had to say in terms of prepared remarks. What I really want to do is take your questions.
This is a speech that was originally given to school children by Ronald Reagan on May 13th, 1986. The original speech is here . I've changed contexts and removed parts about Nancy, but other than update it a bit, I've not changed much. I would love to have him give this speech and watch the right-wing tear it to bits.
Ok, fantasy over. And so is this rather lengthy diary. It seems I've had much to much to rant about lately and just need to step afk!