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All of us should remember that the federal government is not some mysterious institution comprised of buildings, files and paper. The people are the government. What we create we ought to be able to control.
Ronald Reagan
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes that the government is made up of people, not just structures or bureaucracies, and highlights the importance of public control over government actions.

Ronald Reagan's quote serves as a reminder that the federal government represents the collective will and interests of the people it serves, rather than being an enigmatic entity that operates independently of its citizens. It underscores the principle of democratic governance where the populace has the right and duty to influence, oversee, and control their government, reinforcing the notion of accountability and civic engagement.

Themes

GovernmentPeopleDemocracyControlAccountability

In practice

Example use cases

During a town hall meeting to encourage civic participation.

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Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.
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Our status as a free society and world power is not based on brute strength. When we've taken up arms, it has been for the defense of freedom for ourselves and for other peaceful nations who needed our help. But now, faced with the development of weapons with immense destructive power, we've no choice but to maintain ready defense forces that are second to none. Yes, the cost is high, but the price of neglect would be infinitely higher.
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I'm spending more time at this library in four days than I did at the Eureka College Library in four years.
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I'm not a politician by profession. I am a citizen who decided I had to be personally involved in order to stand up for my own values and beliefs. My candidacy is based on my record, and for that matter, my entire life.
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My fellow citizens, our nation is poised for greatness. We must do what we know is right, and do it with all our might. Let history say of us: "These were golden years - when the American Revolution was reborn, when freedom gained new life, and America reached for her best."
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We must have faith in the people of this country and faith in our principles.
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Quote by Ronald Reagan | QuoteProject