OPINION:
A version of this story appeared in the On Background newsletter from The Washington Times. Click here to receive On Background delivered directly to your inbox each Friday.
Dear President Reagan:
If there is wood to chop, brush to clear or horses to ride where you are, I am sure you’re busy. So I’ll start this by quoting the way you began some of your speeches: “As King Henry the Eighth said to his wives, ’I won’t be keeping you long.’”
I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately, especially your warnings about the fragility of freedom. You must have seen a Joe Biden coming.
Although you always saw the sun rising, not setting, on America, I wonder if you would still say that America’s best days are ahead when we have a president hellbent on putting our best days behind us.
Over the years, I was honored to have an association with your White House, and your optimism even rubbed off on an old pessimist like me. I sure could use a big dose of your cheer right now.
How I and millions of us crave your steadying reassurance and your soaring, inspirational words.
Sometimes, when I’m really down in the dumps, I get out some old videos of your speeches for a temporary boost. As I watch them, I get those bygone goose bumps and a lump in my throat all over again, hearing you talk about liberty and the power of the American spirit and how it “flows like a deep and mighty river through the history of our nation.”
But after I put the videos away, your speeches reminding me that your America was about the greatness of the people and how there are no limits when our spirit is unleashed, I’m jolted back to the reality that President Biden’s America is one aimed at crushing our spirit and unleashing the power of the federal government.
You warned that we cannot lose freedom anyplace without losing it every place, that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
Is freedom doomed, as the forces of big government do to us from within, what no foreign power has been able to do from without? I have never before been so frightened that such is the case.
Whereas you are remembered for “Tear down this wall,” President Biden may be remembered for tearing down the country.
I’m sure you are proud of all those with the courage to speak out in the face of condemnation, threats and ridicule. Not only does this administration not brook criticism, but it also acts to crush the critics.
While you said the people are the masters of the government, this administration sees it the other way around.
I think of your words, “Trust the people.” This president and his cohorts do not trust the people; they have contempt for them.
They believe that America needs to be cut down to size, and they are taking a machete to our country’s greatness. You must be heartsick.
And what a contrast, Mr. President, between your championing freedom around the world and President Biden’s giving the back of his hand to our friends and putting his arms around our enemies. He snarls at his fellow Americans, but not at those intent on doing us harm.
How I wish that you could charge in like the cavalry and save us, as you did when you took office in 1981. I don’t know what the future holds for next year’s election, but we need another you.
Well, it’s time to wrap this up, Mr. President. You must have things to do, maybe getting together with some old pals such as John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, William F. Buckley and others. Maybe you’ll even have a beer with that son of a gun Tip O’Neill, like back in the good old days. And of course, spending time with Nancy.
As your shining City on a Hill fades further into the past and a shadow emerges over a diminishing nation, I can’t find sufficient words to tell you how much I miss you, how much millions of Americans miss you.
We miss having a president who brought out the best in us by restoring our pride and reenergizing our confidence in what we, the people and freedom, can achieve.
We also miss your smiling face, your sunny disposition, your humor and your plain decency. Thank you, Mr. President, for giving so many of us the best times of our lives.
With enduring appreciation and affection,
Doug Gamble
• Doug Gamble contributed speech material to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, and other Republican officeholders and candidates.
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