--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is up to us, to this present…" description: "\"It is up to us, to this present generation of Americans, to take a stand for freedom, to send a message to Washington that we're taking our future back..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/524/rick-perry-1638_freedom_it-is-up-to-us-to-this-present-generatio_93197.jpg" --- # It is up to us, to this present generation of Americans… ![“It is up to us, to this present generation of Americans, to take a stand for freedom, to send a message to Washington that we're taking our future back from the grips of central planners who would control our healthcare, who would spend our treasure, who downgrade our future and micro-manage our…” quote by Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/524/rick-perry-1638_freedom_it-is-up-to-us-to-this-present-generatio_93197.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/524/rick-perry-1638_freedom_it-is-up-to-us-to-this-present-generatio_93197.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/524/rick-perry-1638_freedom_it-is-up-to-us-to-this-present-generatio_93197.jpg) > “It is up to us, to this present generation of Americans, to take a stand for freedom, to send a message to Washington that we're taking our future back from the grips of central planners who would control our healthcare, who would spend our treasure, who downgrade our future and micro-manage our lives.” [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Urges Americans to reclaim agency from centralized control, especially in healthcare and fiscal policy. **In simple terms:** Resist over‑reach, protect liberty. Key Takeaway Demand local control. Themes political freedom federalism healthcare autonomy fiscal responsibility Mood defiant patriotic Type political rhetorical When to use this quote - policy debates - grassroots campaigns - election rallies Key Concepts government overreach Practical Applications - political advocacy - public speaking Questions to Reflect On - What does “taking our future back” look like? - How can individuals influence central planning? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Healthcare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healthcare/) [Messages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messages/) [Our future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-future/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Treasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treasure/) ## Related quotes > [Control healthcare and you control the people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/control-healthcare-and-you-control-the-people/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [Washington is horribly broken. We are encountering a day of reckoning and this movement, this Tea Party movement, is a message to Washington that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/washington-is-horribly-broken-we-are-encountering-a-day-of-reckoning/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I'm trying to avail myself of the various technologies to get the message that Washington needs to be cleaned up, that the system that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-abramoff/i-m-trying-to-avail-myself-of-the-various-technologies-to-get-the/) [Jack Abramoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-abramoff/) > [My message to Washington is the United States has gone through incredible crises, and our leaders have been able to find common ground. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-chenault/my-message-to-washington-is-the-united-states-has-gone-through/) [Kenneth Chenault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-chenault/) > [My message to Washington is very simple. Face reality. Be leaders. Demonstrate accountability. Engage in principle compromise. And understand your job is to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-chenault/my-message-to-washington-is-very-simple-face-reality-be-leaders/) [Kenneth Chenault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-chenault/) > [To the patriots I say this: Take that long eternal look. Stand up for freedom, no matter what the cost. Stand up and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/to-the-patriots-i-say-this-take-that-long-eternal-look-stand-up-for/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [The struggle of our people for freedom has progressed to the form where all of us must take a stand either for or against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eldridge-cleaver/the-struggle-of-our-people-for-freedom-has-progressed-to-the-form/) [Eldridge Cleaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eldridge-cleaver/) > [We stand then for freedom, because we claim the right to develop our own individuality and evolve our own destiny along our own lines,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chittaranjan-das/we-stand-then-for-freedom-because-we-claim-the-right-to-develop-our/) [Chittaranjan Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chittaranjan-das/) > [We will not be intimidated or pushed off the world stage by people who do not like what we stand for, and that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/we-will-not-be-intimidated-or-pushed-off-the-world-stage-by-people/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [Freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience. I don't believe you can stand for freedom for one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coretta-scott-king/freedom-and-justice-cannot-be-parceled-out-in-pieces-to-suit/) [Coretta Scott King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coretta-scott-king/) > [I stand for freedom of expression, doing what you believe in, and going after your dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-stand-for-freedom-of-expression-doing-what-you-believe-in-and-going/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The technology will break gun control. I stand for freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-wilson/the-technology-will-break-gun-control-i-stand-for-freedom/) [Cody Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-wilson/) > [“I stand for women. I stand for men. I stand for those the world ignores. I stand for those who break, yet rise again.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-zuri-za-austin/i-stand-for-women-i-stand-for-men-i-stand-for-those-the-world-ignores/) N'Zuri Za Austin > [We will never, never sell our freedom for capital or technical aid. We stand for freedom at any cost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-mboya/we-will-never-never-sell-our-freedom-for-capital-or-technical-aid-we/) Tom Mboya > [We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our only commitment to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-stand-for-freedom-that-is-our-conviction-for-ourselves-that-is-our/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) ## More by Rick Perry > [I've never struggled with that at all. In the state of Texas, if you come into our state and you kill one of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/i-ve-never-struggled-with-that-at-all-in-the-state-of-texas-if-you/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [We understand that you have to create an environment where that those men and women who are entrepreneurs can risk their capital and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/we-understand-that-you-have-to-create-an-environment-where-that-those/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [George W. Bush did an incredible job in the presidency, defending us from freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/george-w-bush-did-an-incredible-job-in-the-presidency-defending-us/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [I think there are a substantial number of scientists who have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling into their projects. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/i-think-there-are-a-substantial-number-of-scientists-who-have/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [What I learned growing up on the farm was a way of life that was centered on hard work, and on faith and on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/what-i-learned-growing-up-on-the-farm-was-a-way-of-life-that-was/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [The people who illegally cross into the country are from countries that have very close ties to al Qaeda, whether it's Yemen or Afghanistan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/the-people-who-illegally-cross-into-the-country-are-from-countries/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [I know for a fact that Ted Cruz every day uses two checklists - to guide him through his personal and professional life -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/i-know-for-a-fact-that-ted-cruz-every-day-uses-two-checklists-to/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [There is evil prowling in the world - it shows up in our movies, video games and online fascinations, and finds its way into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/there-is-evil-prowling-in-the-world-it-shows-up-in-our-movies-video/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [Religious freedom does not mean freedom from religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/religious-freedom-does-not-mean-freedom-from-religion/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [We need to stop apologizing for celebrating life. We need to stop apologizing for wanting to protect an individual's right to build a business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/we-need-to-stop-apologizing-for-celebrating-life-we-need-to-stop/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [America does not need to be worried with bailing out a European country that has made irresponsible expenditures, and then all of a sudden,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/america-does-not-need-to-be-worried-with-bailing-out-a-european/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [It (Social Security) is a Ponzi scheme for these young people. The idea that they're working and paying into Social Security today, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/it-social-security-is-a-ponzi-scheme-for-these-young-people-the-idea/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [I don't believe man-made global warming is settled in science enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/i-don-t-believe-man-made-global-warming-is-settled-in-science-enough/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [Reforming public education, cutting property taxes, fixing adult and child protective services and funding our budget can all occur when Democrats and Republicans engage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/reforming-public-education-cutting-property-taxes-fixing-adult-and/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [Our Founding Fathers never meant for Washington, D.C. to be the fount of all wisdom. As a matter of fact they were very much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/our-founding-fathers-never-meant-for-washington-d-c-to-be-the-fount/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) [Explore all 219 Rick Perry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) ## More Freedom quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [We live in the greatest country in the world because of the veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and the security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/we-live-in-the-greatest-country-in-the-world-because-of-the-veterans/) [Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“No one was more surprised than I to realize that my newfound freedom had been purchased by giving up on eternity and settling for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jessop/no-one-was-more-surprised-than-i-to-realize-that-my-newfound-freedom/) [Carolyn Jessop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jessop/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/in-any-case-white-people-who-had-robbed-black-people-of-their-liberty/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“It breaks my heart. Better than your words, your eye tells me all your peril. You are not yet free, you still search for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-breaks-my-heart-better-than-your-words-your-eye-tells-me-all-your/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [I don't want to be famous famous. I'm happy on the second tier, where I have autonomy on a professional level but I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/i-don-t-want-to-be-famous-famous-i-m-happy-on-the-second-tier-where-i/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) [Browse all 30,110 Freedom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is up to us, to this present generation of Americans, to take a stand for freedom, to send a message to Washington that we're taking our future back from the grips of central planners who would control our healthcare, who would spend our treasure, who downgrade our future and micro-manage our lives.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rick Perry" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/it-is-up-to-us-to-this-present-generation-of-americans-to-take-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Freedom" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/it-is-up-to-us-to-this-present-generation-of-americans-to-take-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/524/rick-perry-1638_freedom_it-is-up-to-us-to-this-present-generatio_93197.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/524/rick-perry-1638_freedom_it-is-up-to-us-to-this-present-generatio_93197.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/524/rick-perry-1638_freedom_it-is-up-to-us-to-this-present-generatio_93197.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is up to us, to this present generation of Americans, to take a stand for freedom, to send a message to…” — Rick Perry", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Rick Perry", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is up to us, to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/it-is-up-to-us-to-this-present-generation-of-americans-to-take-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/it-is-up-to-us-to-this-present-generation-of-americans-to-take-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```