Ronald Reagan’s First Inaugural Address urges Americans to recall the achievements of the American Founders, in particular their confidence in self-government and individual freedom. Against liberalism’s reliance on bureaucracy, Reagan insists that “government is the problem” and that ordinary Americans should be recognized as heroes. He allows the very setting of the Inauguration—for the first time on the west side of the Capitol, facing the monuments—to honor the Founders before his audience. For an America beset by economic woes and a vacillating foreign policy, Reagan exudes a confidence in the people exercising their freedom to revive America. He draws on the strengths of earlier inaugural addresses—including the bipartisanship of Thomas Jefferson, the resolve of Abraham Lincoln, and the confidence of Franklin Roosevelt.
| George Washington’s “Farewell Address” | Edward McClaran | | | | | Edward McClaran Professor Krause GOVT200-S02 April 17, 2011 George Washington’s “Farewell Address” As the first President of the newly formed United States of America, George Washington had decided against seeking the office for a third term. Washington enlisted the assistance of Alexander Hamilton in the composing of a document which offered the Presidents’ wisdom and advice to the nation. George Washington never orally presented his 1796 farewell address; it was instead published in newspapers across the country. The address consults on foreign and domestic issues concerning the new nation and can be considered eerily prophetic when contrasted against current national issues. Washington begins the address by informing the nation of his intent to not seek a third term as President of the United States.
The entire address is filled with advice from Washington that would ensure a perfect lifestyle, but paragraphs 9, 16, 24, and 32, which the quotes above are from, are the ones that stood out the most to me. Nine is telling us how to keep together as a nation while dealing with internal and external (foreign and domestic) problems, while twenty-four shows some of the consequences of not following his guidance. Sixteen depicts how the Constitution should be upheld by the whole people and how the Government should be properly conducted. Last, thirty-two warns us about media abuse. Paragraph 9 starts out instantly by stating how dear unity is to a people.
President Kennedy opens his speech by establishing credibility, “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.” He personalizes his speech in looking forward to the future while using the past as an example, adding that the same innovated views that our ancestors fought are still a concern around the globe and that our rights of man come from the hand of God, not the kindness of the state. Kennedy reminds his fellow Americans that we are the successors of the first revolt and that we must move forward as the new generation of Americans. The president emphasizes our human rights and encourages Americans to defend our freedom because it is a gift from God. Kennedy then exhorts, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” (19) President Kennedy pledges to veteran allies
Alexis Brant p.6 Miller Aug. 26,2013 Jefferson’s Speech As Jefferson refers to in his inaugural speech, “During the contest of opinion through which we have passed, the animation of discussions and of exertions has sometimes worn an aspect which might impose on strangers unused to think freely and to speak and to write what they think;” Jefferson was also the author of the Constitution. He talked about freedom in both the speech and the Constitution. My first freedom I wish to talk about is the freedom of speech. As Jefferson said in his Inaugural Address “...unused to think freely and to speak and to write what they think…” He is basically saying that no one can tell you what you can and cannot say. That is one reason why the government created the Miranda Rights, so that way you know whatever ‘you say can and will be used against you in the court of Law..’ The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The freedom of speech represents in our daily lives by allowing us to express how and what we
Hugo Black points out that the amendment says, Congress shall make no law abridging freedom of speech. “No law means no law.” The Constitution of the United States of America is perhaps the most valued and important document in our country. The Constitution in my own words is the understood rules established years ago by the first fathers of our country. The politicians who wrote the Constitution were trying to bring freedom to the country while at the same time equality. It was a very brave move for these men to try to enforce new rules and rights on a new country.
Jasmine Shah Priest Into The Wild Final Paper 22 November 2011 Into The Wild Final Paper Derived from the Declaration of Independence, the quote, “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”(The Declaration of Independence 89), helps shape the way many Americans define there happiness and go about there daily lives. Basing his ideas off the declaration of Independence Alexis de Tocqueville states, “ one will then find people continually changing path for fear of missing the shortest cut leading to happiness”(de Tocqueville 166). This statement shows how Americans will do anything to find their happiness, even if they don’t achieve it. A man who goes by the name Christopher Johnson McCandless rejects these ideas and believes to achieve happiness one must invest their time in non-materialistic
Branches of Government HIS/301 August 14th, 2012 Branches of Government After reflecting on our class discussion from Tuesday night, it became clear to us why our Founding Fathers created three different branches of government. We think the most important reason the framers of the Constitution decided to form three branches of government, was to make sure the totalitarian system, which was imposed on colonial America by the English King George III, did not occur again. We believe they also wanted a clear system of checks and balances, which would ensure there was no one person or entity, which held absolute power over the people. After two hundred twenty five years, the system our Founding Fathers developed continues to work today.
Daniele Posch Voice of Democracy Speech November 4, 2012 APUSH The Relevance of the Constitution in Modern Society It was once stated by Henry Clay that, “The Constitution of the United States was made not merely for the generation that then existed, but for posterity- unlimited, undefined, endless, perpetual posterity.” The Constitution was created to govern America for eternity. People in America value the Constitution and believe in its legitimacy. Also, the Constitution frames our country until this day. No one would be able to create a better document for America. Our Constitution is still very relevant; considering, since the year of 1781, all still abide by this ratified document.
Yes, I believe we can still, even after 225 years, proudly abide by our Constitution’s inscription. This standing frame-work that everybody ultimately follows, the Constitution, persists despite advancements in technology, in science, in medicine, and in law enforcement. Yes, I believe the Constitution remains very much relevant because it pertains to the matter at hand. The matter at hand is us, every United States citizen and anyone who dreams of being a United States citizen. The Constitution is relevant because the Constitution undergirds our country, minimal complications have risen with it.