Communication Quote by Ronald Reagan
““I had a copy of the Soviet Constitution and I read it with great interest. And I saw all kinds of terms in there that sound just exactly like our own: 'Freedom of assembly' and 'freedom of speech' and so forth. Of course, they don't allow them to have those things, but they're in there in the constitution. But I began to wonder about the other constitutions - everyone has one - and our own, and why so much emphasis on ours. And then I found out, and the answer was very simple - that's why you don't notice it at first. But it is so great that it tells the entire difference. All those other constitutions are documents that say, 'We, the government, allow the people the following rights,' and our Constitution says 'We the People, allow the government the following privileges and rights.' We give our permission to government to do the things that it does. And that's the whole story of the difference - why we're unique in the world and why no matter what our troubles may be, we're going to overcome.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address on Constitutional Values, Ronald Reagan, 1982
He contrasts the U.S. Constitution’s empowerment of the people with other constitutions that empower governments, emphasizing the unique American principle of limiting governmental authority.
In simple terms: U.S. Constitution protects people, not government.
Guard and and constitutional rights.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- civic education
- legal reforms
- public debates
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities accompany our freedoms?
- How can citizens hold government accountable?
Overemphasis on rights can lead to complacency.