In a 2008 Republican presidential debate, the candidates were asked if President Ronald Regan would have endorsed each of them for president if Reagan were still living.  Of all of the candidates, perhaps Governor Mike Huckabee had the best response, “Let me just say this. I’m not going to pretend he would endorse me. I wish he would — I’d love that — but I endorse him.”

It is always dangerous to include quotations from individuals for the fear that someone might assume that Fry4Freedom is endorsing everything that the particular individual has ever written, said, or done.  We should be clear here: We are only endorsing the specific comments made below.  Freedom means that we can agree with parts of what nearly every person has said or written without being expected to agree with the entire canon!  Because we believe in freedom so strongly, we can expect that no two people will ever agree on everything.  Let’s have a smart discussion without insults, barbs, or assumptions.  Let’s stay free.

We have attempted only to include quotations which accurately and fairly capture the words, intent, and context of the people cited.  If you are aware of any inaccuracies below, please let us know.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It has to be fought for and defended by each generation.” (Ronald Reagan)

“If all that Americans want is security, they can go to prison. They’ll have enough to eat, a bed and a roof over their heads. But if an American wants to preserve his dignity and his equality as a human being, he must not bow his neck to any dictatorial government. . . We owe it to ourselves to understand the nature of the times and not trade the principles that made this nation great for some panacea dished out by a bureaucrat sitting in an easy chair in Washington.” (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

“Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of the government. The history of liberty is a history of resistance. The history of liberty is a history of the limitation of governmental power, not the increase of it.” (Ironically, Woodrow Wilson)

“We have gold because we cannot trust governments.” (Herbert Hoover quoting an old proverb)

“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help” (Ronald Reagan)

“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” (Ronald Reagan)

“There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.” (John Adams)

“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.” (James Madison)

“Economic depression can not be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement.” (Herbert Hoover)

(More to come…..)